§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to restrict further or to introduce a ban on the prescribing of lorazepam or any other benzodiazepine; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no such plans. Our present advice is that benzodiazepines, including lorazepam, have a place in medical practice if prescribed with appropriate care. The Committee on Safety of Medicines has recently advised doctors on the use of these drugs in "Current
248W1984 and the changes in waiting list between 31 December 1984 and 31 March 1986 given in my earlier reply were incorrect. Amended figures are given in the table.
Problems No. 21"; a copy is being placed in the Library. Companies have been asked to change their data sheets in line with the CSM's advice.
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those organisations which have made representations to him since the beginning of 1987 about the represcribing of lorazepam; and what his response has been.
§ Mr. NewtonNo organisation has made such representations but we have received a number of letters from hon. Members and individuals on the matter.