Written question asked by Martin Smyth (Ulster Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 12 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 February 2003. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Thursday, 27 February 2003 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans there are to reclassify Rohypnol; and how many doses of Rohypnol have been prescribed in each country of the United Kingdom in each year since 2000.

Answer: Rev Martin Smyth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to reclassify Rohypnol; and how many doses of Rohypnol have been prescribed in each country of the United Kingdom in each year since 2000. [98364] Ms Blears: Rohypnol, the proprietary name for the substance flunitrazepam, is one of the benzodiazepine family of drugs, and is controlled as a Class `C' drug. There are no plans to reclassify it. Rohypnol has not been dispensed in the community in England since 1985. Information relating to Wales and Scotland are for the devolved administrations to respond to. Whilst institutions in Northern Ireland are dissolved, responsibility rests with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Office.

Secondary information