§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the availability of the pain killer cocaine hydrochloride, in view of the serious shortage of this drug in some areas.
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§ Mr. MoyleThere is a world shortage of cocaine hydrochloride. This shortage has arisen because cocaine is a byproduct of a flavouring used in the soft drink industry which has recently changed its processing methods.
The National Health Service is being advised to conserve its use of cocaine for ophthalmic surgery. Cocaine is not a pain killer in the usually accepted sense of the word. It is a local anaesthetic which, as a side effect, has a mood elevating action.
My officials are endeavouring to assist the United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry to obtain cocaine and ensure continuity of its supply for the hospital service.