HC Deb 01 March 2004 vol 418 cc718-9W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what quantity of each(a) benzodiazepine and (b) antidepressant was prescribed by doctors in England in each of the last five years. [155156]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Information on the number of prescription items of benzodiazepines and antidepressants that were dispensed in the community in England since 1998 has been placed in the Library.

Mr. Grogan

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on the prescription of benzodiazepines. [155788]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Decisions about prescribing are the responsibility of the doctor, taking account of the patient's symptoms. the evidence base and national guidance.

Guidance based on the advice issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in 1988 has been made available to all health authorities in the "Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Benzodiazepine Dependence" (Mental Health Foundation, 1994). Further guidance for prescribers is incorporated in the "Drug Misuse and Dependence—Guidelines on Clinical Management" (1999) and the "British National Formulary" (biannual).

The Department is planning to introduce instalment dispensing of benzodiazepines to minimise access to excessive doses.