§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of chemist inspection officers in police forces. [12814]
§ Mr. DenhamChemist inspection officers play an important role in enforcing the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and associated regulations. They are responsible for inspecting retail pharmacies to ensure that controlled 99W drugs are being supplied as authorised, and appropriate records are being kept; investigating breaches of the law; and ensuring that standards of security are maintained where drugs are stored.
The National Association of Chemist Inspection Officers was set up earlier this year with the support of the Association of Chief Police Officers in order to provide a forum for spreading best practice and understanding of the law on the possession, supply and destruction of pharmaceutical controlled drugs.