The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7462 p94
28 July 2007

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News summary

OTC abuse put under Parliamentary scrutiny

There is to be a Parliamentary inquiry into the scale and nature of the misuse of over-the-counter and prescription medicines.

Brian Iddon, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Drug Misuse, said: “The misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medicines is a problem that has been affecting the UK for many years. We know that thousands of people’s lives have been affected by the misuse of drugs found in the home medicines cabinet or at the chemists. We are also increasingly concerned about the number of users buying medicines online, where they face the very real risk of buying counterfeit products that may be dangerous.”

The inquiry will seek to identify:

• The scale of misuse

• The physical, social, psychological and economic harm

• The role the internet plays

• Who should take responsibility for tackling the problem

• Whether sufficient help and support resources are available

The group has already issued a call for written evidence from all interested parties, which it will accept up to 12 October. After that, selected individuals and organisations will be invited to give oral evidence. The aim will be to produce a report in the spring of 2008.

Evidence can be sent in writing to Dr Iddon at the House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA or by e-mail to reayg@parliament.uk

The inquiry is to be facilitated by DrugScope, a charity that aims to support effective responses to drug misuse and to reduce the harm that results.