Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 July 2013
481. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths that occurred in the past three years where benzodiazepines played a role; his Department's role in counteracting the multi-prescription of benzodiazepines with persons claiming one prescription on their medical cards and paying in cash for others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32914/13]
View answerThe National Drug-Related Deaths Index maintained by the Health Research Board shows that benzodiazepines were implicated, either alone or with other drugs or substances in 310 deaths between 2008 and 2010, of which 103 occurred in 2008, 113 in 2009 and 94 in 2010. Data relating to 2011 will be available later this year.
The supply of prescription medicines, including benzodiazepines, is controlled in a number of ways. Under the Medicinal Products (Prescription and Control of Supply) Regulations, it is prohibited for a person to supply a prescription medicine except in accordance with a prescription, and the supply must be made from a registered pharmacy by or under the personal supervision of a registered pharmacist. A person who contravenes these Regulations is guilty of an offence. In addition, medicines which have a high potential to be misused are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts. A person who has in his possession a prescription medicine containing a controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs legislation for the purpose of selling or supplying it, is guilty of an offence under that legislation.
As a result of consultations with key stakeholders, draft Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Regulations are currently being prepared to introduce stricter prescribing and dispensing controls on benzodiazepines. It is planned to finalise the draft Statutory Instruments shortly and publish these on the Department’s website as part of a written consultation process. This will be followed by a 3 month EU notification period required under the Technical Standards Directive because of the implications of the proposed regulatory changes on trade in pharmaceutical products. Government approval will then be sought to amend the legislation.
