§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many prescriptions for benzodiazepines were dispensed by community pharmacists in Scotland in 1987.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythIt is estimated that some 3 million NHS prescriptions for benzodiazepines were dispensed by community pharmacists in Scotland in 1987.
§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the number of people in Scotland dependent on benzodiazepines.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThis information is not available. It is very difficult to define clinical dependency objectively in a way which would enable such information to be collected.
§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many working days were lost for the last year for which figures are available, resulting from people withdrawing from benzodiazepines.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThis information is not available.
§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what facilities are available in Scotland for those wishing to withdraw from benzodiazepines; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what funds are currently available to assist those wishing to withdraw from benzodiazepines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe provision and funding of services for those dependent on benzodiazepines is primarily the responsibility of health boards and local authorities. NHS services are provided by the usual range of primary care and hospital-based services. In addition, many of the local statutory and voluntary sector projects concerned with the treatment and rehabilitation of drug misusers include a service for benzodiazepine dependants. Last month I announced that an additional £1 million per annum will be made available to health boards for 1989–90 for the development of services for drug misusers.