§ Ms Estelle MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she has taken to ensure the continuance of supply of category A drugs used for medical purposes for prescriptions on weekends and bank holidays; and if she will make a statement. [19456]
§ Mr. MaloneFamily health services authorities are responsible for ensuring that patients have access to an appropriate level of pharmaceutical services in their area at all times, including bank holidays and weekends. Class A drugs such as diamorphine may not be held as stock by all community pharmacies, so where patients requiring them are discharged from secondary care at a weekend, they should be provided with sufficient medicines or suitable arrangements made to ensure cover is available before discharge.