§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions he has had with other European countries about problems associated with benzodiazepines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have had no such discussions.
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations he has received since 1 January 1987 about suspected adverse drug reactions involving benzodiazepines; and how many of these have been from(a) members of the public, (b) voluntary organisations counselling patients who claim to have suffered adverse effects and (c) general practitioners.
Benzodiazepines Number of Prescriptions 1978–1986 Great Britain (Thousands) Drug Group 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 Net Ingredient Cost £000 1986 Temazepam 314 736 1,329 2,151 3,088 3,628 4,222 6,279 7,160 13,756 Nitrazepam 10,174 10,148 9,014 8,371 7,861 7,048 6,403 5,974 5,541 1,147 Diazepam 11,096 10,488 8,819 8,023 7,077 6,222 5,407 5,402 5,235 754 Lorazepam 1,826 2,094 2,390 2,921 3,466 3,528 3,240 3,117 3,149 3,251 Triazolam — 175 544 1,043 1,147 1,093 1,274 1,646 1,994 5,833 Chlordiazepoxide 2,942 2,638 2,156 1,996 1,806 1,550 1,347 1,165 1,081 1,321 Oxazepam 724 736 688 785 759 712 64.5 721 766 808 Lormetazepam — — — 38 202 406 521 146 191 472 Clonazepam 37 48 47 54 65 80 90 107 113 461 Loprazolam — — — — — 2 66 24 80 185 Clobazam — 132 326 404 457 466 487 130 45 222 Alprazolam — — — — — 171 339 83 1 6 Flurazepam 2,100 2,295 2,300 2,233 2,241 2,045 1,970 459 — — Clorazepate Dipotassium 1,042 1,045 1,181 1,139 1,186 1,189 1,255 267 — — Flunitrazepam — — — — 8 112 241 69 — — Bromazepam — — — — 10 95 188 43 — — Ketazolam — — 49 127 168 174 153 36 — — Medazepam 331 336 230 210 183 161 125 29 — — Prazepam — — — — 14 66 65 14 — — Total 30,586 30,871 29,073 29,495 29,738 28,748 28,044 25,711 25,356 28,216 Note:
These estimates are based on a sample of prescriptions of approximately 1 in 200 in England and Wales and 1 in 100 in Scotland which were dispensed by community pharmacists.
§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Council on Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction on Merseyside about problems associated with benzodiazepines; and what his response has been.
§ Mrs. CurrieI have received an invitation to visit the Council for Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction which I have regretfully had to decline. I have also received representations on the council's behalf from the hon. Member, to which I responded today.