HC Deb 26 October 1998 vol 318 cc59-60W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prescriptions for neuroleptic drugs were issued in each prison with women inmates in each of the past three years. [55682]

Mr. George Howarth

Details about prescriptions issued are not available in a form that could be used to provide the information sought and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

The Prison Service recognises that many women received into custody have complex medical histories and have very often already been prescribed neuroleptic drugs. A Prison Service health care standard on the use of medicines makes it clear that medication will be prescribed only for clinical reasons and in line with the recommendation in the 1996 report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. Efforts are being made to reduce the prescribing of major and minor tranquillisers and neuroleptic drugs except where their use is clinically essential. Increasing collaboration with NHS specialist psychiatric services is bringing prescribing in prisons under the influence of NHS consultant psychiatrists. Concern about prescribing levels in prisons will continue to be addressed through improved monitoring of health care standards.

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