asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent reports of careless prescribing of and consequent addiction to various tranquillisers especially ativan; and the proposals, if any, he has to respond to this problem.
Written Answers. - Prescribing of Tranquillisers.
171.
I would like first of all to assure the Deputy that on the basis of advice received from the National Drugs Advisory Board, measures have been taken to reduce the risk of dependence on tranquillisers. Benzodiazepine tranquillisers, into which category the product Ativan falls, were reviewed by the National Drugs Advisory Board in 1977, and while it was noted that prolonged or excessive use of these drugs may result in the development of psychological dependence with withdrawal symptoms on discontinuing the drug, the information then available did not suggest that the degree of this dependence was as serious as is suggested today. The Benzodiazepine products on the market have since that date in 1977 been required to include, in the information being supplied to the professions, a warning which would alert doctors to this possibility.
Arising out of the adverse reaction reporting scheme operated by the National Drugs Advisory Board, the question of the Benzodiazepines was again reviewed in 1985 and the board recommended that their use be limited to short periods of four to six weeks or less. In order to give greater effect to this advice, regulations were introduced which came into force on 1 July 1987, namely, the Medical Preparations (Control of Sale) Regulations, 1987 (S.I. No. 18 of 1987).
These regulations provide that a prescription for a Benzodiazepine tranquilliser may be dispensed on one occasion only. This new regime represents a significant tightening of the controls pertaining prior to July 1987 when a prescription could be dispensed on a number of occasions within a period of six months after the date of the prescription.
In addition to the foregoing, steps have been taken to bring Benzodiazepines within the control regime operated under the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977 and 1984. This action will facilitate surveillance of the prescribing of the products in question and will enable me to set up the necessary investigative procedures where there is evidence of irresponsible prescribing by practitioners.
I am concerned for those members of the public who are having tranquilliser dependence problems. They can however discuss the problem with their family practitioner. If they need further help they can contact the various agencies around the country who provide counselling and support for sufferers. Details of such bodies are listed in a booklet entitled Directory of Organisations concerned with Substance Abuse, which is available from my Department.