§ Mr. WellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients are estimated to be taking benzodiazepines on a long-term basis.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThere are no such estimates held centrally.
§ Mr. WellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether he has carried out any research into the efficiency and comparative cost of Temazepam Planpak, in aiding the withdrawal of patients from benzodiazepines;
(2) what withdrawal strategies are referred to by the Advisory Committee on National Health Service Drugs in its reference to all clinical needs in respect of withdrawal from benzodiazepines being able to be met equally effectively and at less cost by standard products in the contect of less rigid, individually structured withdrawal programmes.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Department has not funded research into the use of Temazepam Planpak, but is aware that some research has been carried out. Guidance on benzodiazepine withdrawal strategies is provided in part 4.1 of the British National Formulary. A suggested protocol for patients unable to reduce dosage using their existing drug is to transfer to diazepam, and then to reduce dosage gradually. Diazepam is available in low-dosage tablets, and allows withdrawal to be tailored flexibly to the needs of individual patients. It is also significantly less expensive than Temazepam Planpak.