§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance has been issued by her Department to general practitioners and hospitals with regard to the use of the drug diamorphine.
§ Dr. MawhinneyDiamorphine is a controlled drug under schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1985. Its supply and prescription are therefore subject to certain controls, which are described in the British National Formulary, which is distributed twice a year free of charge to all prescribers by the Department of Health. A copy of the British National Formulary is available in the Library.
Prescribing information on the use of diamorphine is given to general practitioners and hospitals in the British National Formulary and in data sheets for products, issued by the manufacturers and authorised by the Licensing Authority. Guidance is also contained in the "Guide to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971" and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations.