HC Deb 30 January 1989 vol 146 cc44-5W
Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many psychiatric hospitals within the National Health Service have special units to enable people to withdraw from benzodiazepines.

Mr. Mellor

We do not hold this information centrally.

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are at present withdrawing from benzodiazepines in psychiatric hospitals within the National Health Service.

Mr. Mellor

We do not have this information centrally.

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many working days were lost in 1987 as a result of people withdrawing from benzodiazepines.

Mr. Mellor

We do not hold this information.

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of all prescriptions given in 1987 by National Health Service's doctors was for benzodiazepines.

Mr. Mellor

We do not have information in the form requested. In Great Britain in 1987 community pharmacists dispensed almost 399.7 million prescriptions. Of these, about 25.5 million, or almost 6.5 per cent., were for benzodiazepines.

Ms. Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the total number of children under the age of 16 years currently being prescribed benzodiazepines.

Mr. Mellor

We do not collect this information centrally.