§ Mr. Michael J. Martinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the incidence of doctors prescribing analgesics to drug addicts for non-medical purposes; what steps his Department takes to control such practices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonThe Department has no information which would enable an assessment to be made of the extent of any such prescribing.
My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 to prohibit, by direction, a practitioner whom he finds has been prescribing controlled drugs in an irresponsible manner from prescribing some or all controlled drugs.
Any case of alleged irresponsible prescribing can be referred to the General Medical Council which can take action against a doctor whom it judges to have acted unethically.
The Department's regional medical officers are able to offer advice to general practitioners within the NHS and can alert them if there is evidence that a particular drug is being misused.