§ Ian LucasTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on thefts of(a) controlled drugs and (b) time-expired pharmaceuticals from sites disposing of NHS waste. [150441]
§ Mr. HuttonControlled drugs or pharmaceuticals for disposal are defined as special waste and must only be disposed of at waste disposal sites licensed by the Environment Agency (EA) to dispose of special waste. The national health service is required to complete consignment notes as part of the waste disposal audit procedure required by the EA. Although there is an expectation that the NHS will undertake periodic checks to ensure that this waste is properly disposed of, the prime responsibility for guarding against thefts at the waste disposal sites rests with the waste disposal contractor.