§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to reclassify gammahydroxybutyrate as a drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; [111876]
(2) if he will reclassify gammahydroxybutyrate as a drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971; and if he will make a statement; [111721]
(3) what plans he has for an announcement about the reclassification of GHB from a medicine to a drug. [111161]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeGammahydroxybutyrate (GHB) is not licensed as a medicinal product in the United Kingdom but is regarded as an unlicensed "medicinal product" under the provisions of the Medicines Act 1968. The Medicines Control Agency investigates reports of the unlawful manufacture, advertising sale and supply of GHB in the United Kingdom and has brought a number of successful prosecutions in the last few years.
With regard to the question of the classification of GHB under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon, South (Ms Drown), on 24 January 2000, Official Report, column 95W.