§ Ms. LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the latest estimate of the number of people who have been taking benzodiazepines for longer than the recommended 28-day maximum period.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe information requested is not available centrally.
§ Ms. LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the current level of benzodiazepine prescribing in England; and if she will make it her policy to reduce benzodiazepine prescribing.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Government are aware that prolonged prescribing of benzodiazepines can lead to dependence and severe problems with withdrawal. Because of this, we have ensured that information on both prescribing and withdrawal from these drugs is freely available to doctors. There has been a steady reduction in the number of benzodiazepine prescriptions, from about 24.51 million in 1982 to around 15.71 million in 1991.
1 The figures are based on prescriptions dispensed by chemist and appliance contractors in England.
§ Ms. LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prescriptions were issued for benzodiazepine for individuals by community pharmacists in England in 1991.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe information requested is as follows:
840W
Anti-Depressants FHSA No. FHSA name NIC (pounds) NIC/head £ 321 Cleveland 828,021.14 1.51 322 Cumbria 744,159.16 1.50 323 Durham 1,013,008.03 1.70 324 Northumberland 435,540.59 1.43 325 Gateshead 341,020.58 1.67 326 Newcastle upon Tyne 409,386.05 1.48 327 North Tyneside 314,643.04 1.64 328 South Tyneside 188,621.92 1.22 329 Sunderland 405,151.08 1.37 Northern 4,679,551.59 1.52 341 Humberside 1,078,67805 1.25 342 North Yorkshire 923,863.60 1.26
Benzodiazepines England 1991 Drug group Prescriptions (thousands) Temazepam 6,039 Diazepam 3,063 Nitrazepam 3,000 Lorazepam 1,080 Triazolam 1,076 Chlorodiazepoxide 504 Oxazepam 360 Loprazolam 180 Lormetazepam 171 Clonazepam 128 Clobazam 61 Total 15,662 Notes:
1. These figures are actually based on 100 per cent. prescriptions dispensed by chemist and appliance contractors in England.
2. 1991 figures are based on the new prescription cost analysis statistical returns and refer to the number of prescription items as opposed to fees used in previous years.