HC Deb 26 November 1993 vol 233 c243W
Ms Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued for each benzodiazepine by community pharmacists in England in 1992.

Dr. Mawhinney

The information is shown in the table. From 1992, the data include prescriptions dispensed by dispensing doctors, and prescriptions submitted by doctors for items administered personally as well as those dispensed by community pharmacists and appliance contractors. When 1991 data are recalculated on the same basis, they show an encouraging fall of about 15 per cent. in the level of benzodiazepine dispensing between 1991 and 1992.

Benzodiazepine prescription items
England 1992
Drug group Number of prescription items (thousands)
Temazepam 6,914
Diazepam 3,225
Nitrazepam 3,074
Lorazepam 1,018
Chlordiazepoxide 503
Oxazepam 352
Loprazolam 239
Lormetazepam 215
Clonazepam 144
Clobazam 67
Total 15,751

Note:

The data cover all prescription items dispensed by community pharmacists appliance contractors, dispensing doctors and personal administration.