§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has issued in respect of the maximum limit on the quantity of methadone that a doctor can prescribe with a single prescription for an individual; and what estimate he has made of the most common prescribed daily dosage. [11342]
§ Mr. MaloneThe amount of methadone prescribed is a matter of individual clinical judgment, and no assessment has been made of the most common prescribed daily dosage. Clinical guidelines on drug misuse and dependence were issued to all doctors in 1991. A task force to review services for drug misusers was established in 1994; following its report in May 1996, a working group has been set up to review the clinical guidelines. The revised guidelines will provide guidance for doctors on good prescribing practice and on the most effective management of drug misusers who are prescribed methadone.