CAMPAIGNERS are urging European leaders to punish the UK for failing to enforce strict rules on labelling medicines containing steroids.

A directive from the European Commission makes it obligatory to enclose patient information leaflets with all medication, unless this is already on the packaging.

But Middlesbrough's Jan Fairbridge, founder of Gasp (Group Action into Steroid Prescribing), says she is still using medication that comes with no warnings about possible side-effects.

She formed the group after being confined to a wheelchair due to the devastating side-effects of a brand of steroids she had been taking on repeat prescriptions.

Mrs Fairbridge, of South Bank, has reported the British Government to the European Commission for allegedly failing to enforce the ruling.

The Medicines Control Agency, the Department of Health body set up to ensure the quality of medicines distributed in Britain, said it was unaware of a relevant directive from the EC.

However, North Euro MP Stephen Hughes, who has taken up their case, is asking the European Commission to enforce their ruling which he says is being flouted by the UK.

Mr Hughes said: "A commissioner told me they had reassurances from Britain that leaflets are being distributed with medicine, but this is clearly not the case.

"This issue has been taken over by the commissioner for enterprise from the one dealing with public health matters. It is about protecting the consumer, not protecting the business community.

"The commission's question got no further than some civil servant who denied Britain was flouting the directive. This is apparently enough to fob them off.

"The commissioners should get out there and get evidence to prove it isn't being complied with.

"People's lives are being wrecked because of this."

Mrs Fairbridge, who has kept medicine bottles that included no warning leaflets for evidence, says the EC must act soon.

She said: "The commission's failure to question the British Government is pathetic. It's like arresting someone for a crime and letting them off when they say they didn't do it."

Chemists are expected to include patient leaflets on steroids with each prescription, but many say there are often not enough to go round.