§ 34. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Preludin and other sleeping draughts, tranquilisers, and slimming pills are still being sold without a doctor's prescription, sometimes with serious results; and what progress is being made by Her Majesty's Government in their consideration of this matter.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department to the hon. Member for Brixton (Mr. Lipton) on 4th February.
§ Mr. JannerCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman say when the steps that were then indicated would be taken will be taken to stop the sale of these drugs without the necessary doctor's certificate? He will be aware that this is a very serious problem.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to look at my right hon. Friend's answer on 4th February. He will see that my right hon. Friend said that subject to the consideration of any representations by those concerned, he proposed to accept this recommendation and to give effect to it as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. JannerWhat is "as soon as practicable"?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThat is what the hon. Gentleman must ask my right hon. Friend.
Mr. Gresham CookeWhile everybody agrees that drugs like Preludin should be made available only on prescription, would my right hon. and learned Friend 21 consider making available to the ordinary person without prescription the fairly innocent carbromal drugs like Relaxa, Adalin, Persomnia and so on?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have on my notes here a lengthy list of the drugs which are covered by this recommendation. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the implementation of the recommendations of the Poisons Board is a question for my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.