§ Mr. Nicholas BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what action his Department is taking to reduce the illegal use of Temazepam; [36624]
(2) what representations he has received concerning the illegal use of Temazepam. [36625]
§ Mr. BowisOn 10 May,Official Report, columns 747–59, my right hon. Friend the Lord President of the Council announced a range of measures to help combat its misuse. This included a public consultation exercise on a proposal to ban national health service prescribing of the soft gelatin gel filled capsule formulation of the drug under schedule 10 to the NHS (General Medical Service) Regulations 1992. The Department of Health received 168 responses to the consultation exercise and these are being carefully considered. An announcement will be made shortly.
On 12 September my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department also announced that the drug was to be moved from schedule 4 to schedule 3 to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985, which would make unlawful possession an offence, require pharmacies to store the drug more securely, and impose import and export licensing controls. Manufacturers and wholesalers will also be required to store the drug securely.