§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions his Department has had with the drug company Ciba regarding(a) the production and (b) distribution of the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [ 13700]
(2) how much methylphenidate is produced annually; and if he will make a statement; [13698]
(3) what further steps he is taking to control the (a) production and (b) distribution of the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [13693]
(4) what guidance he has issued to general practitioner fundholding practices regarding the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [13699]
(5) what assessment he has made of the effects of the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement; [13692]
(6) what representations he has received on the drug methylphenidate; and if he will make a statement. [13694]
24W
§ Mr. MaloneMethylphenidate—Ritalin—has been assessed by the normal procedures for licensing of medicinal products in the United Kingdom to ensure its efficacy, safety and quality. As for all medicines, there is continuous monitoring of safety after marketing by the Medicines Control Agency. Methylphenidate is not manufactured in this country. It is available as a prescription-only medicine under the controls of schedule 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Any discussions between the licensing authority and the marketing authorisation holders are treated in confidence. There are no plans for further controls on the availability of methylphenidate.
Methylphenidate—Ritalin—is licensed for use under the supervision of a specialist in childhood behaviour disorders. No guidance has been issued regarding prescribing by a general practitioner in a fundholding practice, but this may be done by mutual agreement as part of a joint protocol of care with such a specialist. The Department of Health has received representations in the form of four parliamentary questions and a small amount of correspondence.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) on what basis the decision was taken to make the drug methylphenidate available as a controlled drug through general practitioners; [13697]
(2) what consultations took place prior to the decision to make the drug methylphenidate available as a controlled drug through general practitioners; on what basis it was previously available; and if he will make a statement. [13696]
§ Mr. MaloneI understand from the Home Department that methylphenidate, in conformity with the United Nations convention on psychotropic substances 1971, has been a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 since it came into force. It can therefore be prescribed by general practitioners.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what were the number of prescriptions dispensed for the drug methylphenidate since it became available; and if he will provide a breakdown by(a) general practitioner fundholding practice and (b) health authority for (i) the nations and (ii) regions of the United Kingdom. [13695]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Department has a duty of confidence relating to the use of information derived from patient records and, following our usual practice, the information requested cannot be supplied at this level of detail because it is confidential.