15. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Health if he will introduce legislation to prevent the sale of tablets purporting to modify the effects of alcohol.
Mr. Gresham CookeIs my hon. Friend aware that pills called "Soberettes" are on sale in pubs and sweet shops, which are banned by the Pharmaceutical Society from being sold in chemists' shops, which might give the impression that drunken motorists can cure themselves from alcoholism by taking these pills? Is it not wrong that this sort of pill, which gives no evidence of any content, should be on sale giving a false assurance to people that they might be cured?
§ Miss PittI am aware that such tablets are on sale. It is not quite correct to say that the Pharmaceutical Society has banned them. It has issued a notice advising chemists
…in view of the possibility of misuse and the consequent danger to the public…they should not stock or sell these preparations, but the evidence available does not suggest that they are medically harmful.