§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide for each of the last three available years a breakdown of the number of prescriptions issued by community pharmacists for the following benzodiazepines(a) diazepam, (b) temazepam, (c) lorazepam, (d) nitrazepam and (e) oxazepam.
§ Mr. MellorThe information is as follows:
Number of prescriptions dispensed Millions England 1985 1986 1987 Diazepam 4.4 4.2 4.1 Temazepam 5.1 5.8 6.2 Lorazepam 2.6 2.6 2.4 Nitrazepam 5.0 4.7 4.4 Oxazepam 0.6 0.6 0.6 The above data are estimates based on a sample of approximately one in 200 prescriptions dispensed by retail pharmacists and drug stores.