§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what information he as concerning the addictive qualities of the drug Ativan; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received concerning the banning of the drug Ativan;
(3) whether he has any plans to seek to ban or restrict the sale or use of the drug Ativan.
§ Mrs. CurrieAtivan is one of the brands of lorazepam, a benzodiazepine tranquilliser. Since 1964, the Committee586W on the Safety of Medicines has received 346 reports of adverse drug reactions, including three fatalities associated with the administration of lorazepam. Of the total reports, 24 relate to drug dependence and 29 to withdrawal syndrome. It is very important to note that a report does not necessarily indicate a causal relationship between a medicinal product and the reported reaction.
Representations have been received from a medically-qualified journalist calling for the drug to be banned. Lorazepam is an effective medicine for the treatment of anxiety hut, like all benzodiazepines, it can cause dependence and withdrawl can be difficult. In common with all marketed medicinal products, the safety of lorazepam is monitored by the CSM, which is currently giving further consideration to the available information on the drug. When it has completed its deliberations we will consider in the light of its advice whether any regulatory action on the drug is necessary.