asked the Minister for Health in view of the recent reports of the misuse of the drugs, valium and magadon, together with the inherent danger of this practice to patients, the steps he has taken to ensure that these drugs are prescribed with more care and discrimination in future.

I presume that the Deputy is referring to recent press reports regarding the use of tranquillisers.

Information for the guidance of prescribing doctors is issued at regular intervals by the National Drugs Advisory Board to all practising members of the profession in relation to various categories of medical preparations, their modes of action, their associated side effects and reactions, and the precautions to be observed in connection with their use. The information is brought up to date from time to time in the light of current scientific knowledge and on the basis of data obtained by the board from various sources in this country and abroad. The preparations referred to in the question are included in the categories of preparations for which such information has been issued to doctors by the board.

Can the Minister say if he would consider initiating in a real way a campaign among doctors to take more care in prescribing these and similar drugs, in view of the widespread fear about over-prescribing and over-use of these drugs?

I am concerned about any over-use of drugs. It is something I am giving attention to.

Does the Minister agree there is over-use?

I am concerned about any over-use. Through the Health Education Bureau we have been trying to encourage more realistic use of drugs and the tendency towards over-use of drugs of this nature.

Has the Minister any comparative information as to the use of these drugs here as against other countries? Is he satisfied these drugs are not being used simply as a means of keeping patients quiet rather than curing the root cause of their illnesses?

The first part of the Deputy's supplementary would require a separate question—I do not have the information here. I am concerned that drugs which in themselves very often are harmless could become habit-forming. Consequently, I will be giving attention to this matter. The Health Education Bureau have organised a number of seminars on the question.

Is it the Minister's intention to take any action against doctors who continue to over-prescribe drugs to patients?

That is a matter which is kept under review and on which discussions are held with the medical profession regularly.

If it does not cease does the Minister intend to take any action?

It depends on the kind of over-use the Deputy is talking about. It is a question of defining the extent of the use. As Deputy Bruton said, drugs can become something to lean on and may be more freely prescribed than is desirable. This is a question which enters into the professional area as to the proper definition of the sufficiency of such drugs. On this basis we have had discussions with the medical profession.