§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of state for Health what plans she has to expand the list of drugs that cause dependency and to require prescriptions to be written in full by hand.
§ Mr. MacleanI have been asked to reply.
Dangerous drugs are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. The list of such drugs is kept constantly under review by the Home Office and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. The provisions of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985 include a requirement that prescriptions for certain controlled drugs be written in full by hand. This requirement applies to drugs listed in schedules 2 and 3 to the regulations.
The ACMD has made certain recommendations to tighten the controls on temazepam, including a requirement that prescriptions be written in full by hand. These are under consideration.