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South Western
Tel:
(0117) 970 6474 ext 311
Fax:
(0117) 970 7021
East Midlands
Tel:
(0115) 971 2745
Fax:
(0115) 971 2404
West Midlands
Tel:
(0121) 415 8556
Fax:
(0121) 414 8197
SCOTLAND
Tel:
(0131) 551 8715
Fax:
(0131) 551 1392
WALES
Tel:
(029) 2050 3343
Fax:
(029) 2050 2330
In Northern Ireland, the Misuse of Drugs (Notification
of
and Supply to Addicts)
(Northern Ireland)
Regula-
tions 1973 require doctors to send particulars of persons
whom they consider to be addicted to certain controlled
drugs to the Chief Medical Officer of the Department of
Health and Social
Services.
The Northern Ireland con-
tacts are:
Medical contact:
Dr Ian McMaster
C3 Castle Buildings
Belfast,
BT4 3FQ
Tel:
(028) 9052 2421
Fax:
(028) 9052 0718
ian.mcmaster@dhsspsni.gov.uk
Administrative contact:
Public Health Information & Research Branch
Annex 2
Castle Building
Belfast,
BT4 3SQ
Tel:
(028) 9052 2520
Public
Health Information & Research Branch also
maintains the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database
(NIDMD) which collects detailed information on those
presenting for treatment,
on drugs misused and inject-
ing behaviour;
participation is not a statutory require-
ment.
Prescribing of diamorphine (heroin),
dipipanone, and cocaine for addicts
The Misuse of
Drugs (Supply to Addicts)
Regulations
1997 require that only medical practitioners who hold a
special
licence issued by the Home Secretary may
prescribe,
administer,
or supply diamorphine,
dipipan-
one (
Diconal
c
),
or
cocaine in the treatment
of
drug
addiction; other practitioners must refer any addict who
requires these drugs to a treatment centre.
Whenever
possible the addict will
be introduced by a member of
staff
from the treatment centre to a pharmacist whose
agreement has been obtained and whose pharmacy is
conveniently sited for
the patient.
Prescriptions
for
weekly supplies will
be sent to the pharmacy by post
and will be dispensed on a daily basis as indicated by the
doctor.
If
any alterations
of
the
arrangements
are
requested by the addict,
the portion of the prescription
affected must be represcribed and not merely altered.
General practitioners and other doctors do not require a
special licence for prescribing diamorphine, dipipanone,
and cocaine for patients (including addicts) for
relieving
pain
from organic disease or injury.
For guidance on prescription writing,
see p.
8.
BNF 61
Controlled Drugs and drug dependence
11
Controlled Drugs and drug dependence