Gammahydroxybutyrate (Hansard, 16 March 2000)

§ Mr. Ben Chapman
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health problems caused by the misuse of gammahydroxybutyrate. [114160]

§ Ms Stuart
We are aware that gammahydroxybutyrate can present acute health problems for some misusers. The effects are exacerbated when mixed with alcohol or other drugs and can include collapse, coma and death. Information on the dangers of gammahydroxybutyrate is included in many of the resources produced by the Health Education Authority on behalf of the Department as part of a campaign to educate 11 to 25-year-olds and parents about substance misuse.
The Government look to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs for advice on whether a substance should be controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. ACMD last considered gammahydroxybutyrate in May 1998 and concluded that misuse did not present a sufficient social problem to be controlled under this Act.

§ Mr. Ben Chapman
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the side effects from gammahydroxybutyrate misuse in the last five years. [114247]

§ Ms Stuart
The Department has not commissioned any research into gammahydroxybutyrate but are aware that side effects and acute health problems including collapse, coma and death can arise from misuse. The Department has access to the research findings of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs which last considered gammahydroxybutyrate in May 1998. ACMD looked at a range of evidence including data from the National Poisons Information Service, publications in scientific journals and press reports.

§ Mr. Ben Chapman
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given on the prosecution of illicit manufacturers of gammahydroxybutyrate. [114161]

§ Ms Stuart
Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a medicinal product and is controlled under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations etc.) Regulations 1994 and the Medicines Act 1968. The manufacture and supply of GHB without a licence is a criminal offence under the legislation and where there is sufficient evidence the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) will prosecute.
Briefings on GHB have been given by the MCA to:

Heads of Police Force Intelligence Bureaux

Trading Standards Officers

Environmental Health Officers.

303W

§ Mr. Ben Chapman
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the use of the internet as a vehicle for the purchase of gammahydroxybutyrate. [114163]

§ Ms Stuart
Gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a medicinal product and is controlled under the Medicines for Human Use (Marketing Authorisations etc.) Regulations 1994 and the Medicines Act 1968. The Medicines Control Agency (MCA) investigates all referrals of breaches of medicines legislation.
In 1999 discussions were held with law enforcement bodies that deal with pharmaceutical crime including the use of the Internet in the United States of America and European Union member states. The result was the information of an International security forum on pharmaceutical Intelligence service, Interpol and the Forum.
A special Inquiry Unit has been established by the MCA to investigate alleged breaches of medicines regulations on the internet.