§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to promote alternatives to treatment by benzodiazepine drugs in future.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 19 December 1989]: That some patients can become addicted to benzodiazepine drugs is well known in the medical profession. This is one of the factors that doctors bear in mind when considering alternative treatment possibilities for their patients, such as counselling. What form of treatment will be more effective for particular patients is a matter for the clinical judgment of their doctors. Ministers would not wish to seek to promote particular forms of treatment, either generally or for particular groups of patients.