§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what further plans she has to reschedule temazepam; and if she will make a statement; [31382]
(2) what are the criteria which she applies to reschedule drug substances under the terms of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; how temazepam relates to these criteria; and if she will make a statement. [31394]
§ Mr. BowisNo rescheduling may occur under the 1991 Act except after consultation with, or on the recommendation of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs; and the council is required to have regard to misused drugs which are having, or appear to them capable of having, harmful effects sufficient to constitute a social problem. The council has recommended that temazepam should be controlled under schedule 3 of the relevant regulations rather than schedule 4. The Government's careful consideration of this recommendation is continuing.
My right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council announced on 10 May at column 756 that the Department is engaged in consultations with a view to banning national health service prescribing by general practitioners of the soft gelatin gel-filled temazepam capsules and the Home Department is taking steps to impose safe custody requirements on manufacturers and wholesalers.
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