HC Deb 07 February 1983 vol 36 cc259-60W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the progressive increase of the position of dipipanone hydrochloride in the addictive drugs sphere, he will seek to ban its indigenous production and importation.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg

No. Dipipanone is useful as a medicine for the treatment of organic disease and injury, and its addictive potential is well known to all the doctors who prescribe it for that purpose. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has, however, received a recommendation from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs that the ability to prescribe dipipanone for the treatment of addiction should be restricted to doctors licensed by him; interested organisations have been consulted and their comments are now being considered.