HC Deb 13 December 1988 vol 143 cc550-1W
50. Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce restrictions on the represcribing of benzodiazepines.

Mr. Mellor

I share the hon. Member's concern about represcribing of benzodiazepines, but we have no plans to introduce restrictions because doctors must be free to prescribe in a way that best suits the needs of each patient. All drugs should be represcribed under controlled conditions and I welcome the initiative of those general practitioners who have begun the difficult process of reviewing the treatment of those of their patients who are on long-term benzodiazepine therapy.