§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many UK drug addicts are on(a) subutex maintenance, (b) methadone maintenance and (c) naltraxone. [153981]
§ Miss Melanie Johnson[holding answer 9 February 2004]: The Department does not collect figures centrally on the number of drug misusers being maintained on subutex, methadone or naltrexone. However, the table represents the number of prescription items of Buprenorphine (Subutex), Methadone Hydrochloride and Naltrexone Hydrochloride (included in the British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.10, Substance Dependence) that were dispensed in the community in England in 2002.
Thousand BNF 4.10 Drugs used in substance
Number of prescription items dispensed in 2002
Buprenorphine (Subutex) 164.3 Methadone Hydrochloride 1,330.7 Naltrexone Hydrochloride 21.9 This data covers d rugs which are included in the British National Formulary (BNF) section 4.10, "Drugs used in substance dependence". The data excludes other 1331W Buprenorphine, Methadone and Naltrexone drugs that are contained in other BNF sections since they are prescribed for reasons other than substance dependence.
The data excludes prescription items that are dispensed in hospitals or clinics. The Department does not have any information on the number of people who are prescribed these drugs. The information available is the number of prescription items that are dispensed in the community.
§ Mrs. CaltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made by strategic health authorities of(a) the facilities available for drug maintenance and withdrawal, (b) the availability of licensed prescribers for heroin addicts and (c) the incidence of heroin use. [153880]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonNo formal assessment has been made by strategic health authorities of the three issues that the hon. Member raises.
However, I am able to inform her that the National Treatment Agency has confirmed that all areas of England now have access to facilities for drug maintenance and withdrawal and that there are currently 123 practitioners in England licensed by the Home Office to prescribe heroin. For other substitute prescribing medications, no licence is required.
§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what research has been undertaken into the link between (a) suffering long-term memory loss and (b) other side effects from taking ecstasy; [151283]
(2) what research has been carried out into the long-term use of cannabis with relation to (a) loss of memory and (b) other side effects. [151298]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThere is a wide range of published studies that have reported the results of research into the side-effects of ecstasy and cannabis. The Department commissioned the National Addiction Centre to review the evidence regarding the harmful effects of drugs of abuse and is published as the Department of Health document Dangerousness of drugs (2003). A copy of which is available in the Library.