BENZODIAZEPINES, TRIHEXYPHENTOHYL & CODEINE BASED PRODUCTS -
IMPORTATION
(No. B/136)
Mr E. Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the
Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether, in regard to benzodiazepines, trihexyphentohyl
and codeine based products, he  will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Pharmacy
Board, information as to the amount of money spent on the importation thereof over the past 199
seven years, indicating if the Board exercises  adequate control on the purchase thereof by the
private and the public sectors.
Reply: I am informed that benzodiazepines belong to a group of drugs mainly used in the
treatment of insomnia and anxiety. They are classified as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous
Drugs Act 2000 and are listed under Schedule III of the Act. As regards Trihexyphenidyl
(wrongly spelt in the question), it is commonly known as Artane and is used in the treatment of
Parkinsonism. As for codeine based products they are used to treat coughs and diarrhea. They are
classified as Poison under the Pharmacy Act 1983.
The total amount spent for the last seven years on the importation of these three products
in the public sector is Rs12,281,853. However, no information is available on the amount spent
in the private sector.
The Pharmacy Board exercises strict control on the importation of these products as
follows -
(a) For the public sector, the quantity purchased annually is based on consumption for the
previous years and future forecast.
(b) As far as the private sector is concerned, special permits are required for the import of
benzodiazepines and codeine based products. The quantity to be imported is approved
on the basis of consumption trends which are closely monitored by the Pharmacy
Board.  Any request which is considered excessive is queried by the Board and
justifications sought prior to giving authorisation for import. Furthermore,
benzodiazepines, Trihexyphenidyl and codeine based products are sold on
prescriptions.
(c) In accordance with Section 23 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000, a register has to be
kept for benzodiazepines to record every supply and sale.
(d) All private pharmacies are regularly inspected by Government Pharmacists, who
scrutinise all entries pertaining to purchase and sale of all drugs listed under Schedule
III of the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000.  Any irregularity is promptly reported to the
Pharmacy Board.  Around 175 inspections are carried out annually.  Since 2010 seven
pharmacists have been sanctioned and the licenses of six pharmacies have been
revoked.
Furthermore, in accordance with international Conventions ratified  by Mauritius, the
Pharmacy Board has to submit quarterly and annual returns on the consumption of psychotropic
substances to the International  Narcotics Control Board (INCB).  So far, there has been no
adverse comment on the returns made

Sitting of tuesday 22 may 2012

(No. B/136)

Mr E. Guimbeau (First Member for Curepipe & Midlands) asked the Minister of Health and Quality of Life whether, in regard to benzodiazepines, trihexyphentohyl and codeine based products, he  will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Pharmacy Board, information as to the amount of money spent on the importation thereof over the past  seven years, indicating if the Board exercises  adequate control on the purchase thereof by the private and the public sectors.

Reply: I am informed that benzodiazepines belong to a group of drugs mainly used in the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. They are classified as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000 and are listed under Schedule III of the Act.

As regards Trihexyphenidyl (wrongly spelt in the question), it is commonly known as Artane and is used in the treatment of Parkinsonism. As for codeine based products they are used to treat coughs and diarrhea. They are classified as Poison under the Pharmacy Act 1983.

The total amount spent for the last seven years on the importation of these three products in the public sector is Rs12,281,853. However, no information is available on the amount spent in the private sector.

The Pharmacy Board exercises strict control on the importation of these products as follows -

(a) For the public sector, the quantity purchased annually is based on consumption for the previous years and future forecast.

(b) As far as the private sector is concerned, special permits are required for the import of benzodiazepines and codeine based products. The quantity to be imported is approved on the basis of consumption trends which are closely monitored by the Pharmacy Board.  Any request which is considered excessive is queried by the Board and justifications sought prior to giving authorisation for import. Furthermore, benzodiazepines, Trihexyphenidyl and codeine based products are sold on prescriptions.

(c) In accordance with Section 23 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000, a register has to be kept for benzodiazepines to record every supply and sale.

(d) All private pharmacies are regularly inspected by Government Pharmacists, who scrutinise all entries pertaining to purchase and sale of all drugs listed under Schedule III of the Dangerous Drugs Act 2000.  Any irregularity is promptly reported to the Pharmacy Board.  Around 175 inspections are carried out annually.  Since 2010 seven pharmacists have been sanctioned and the licenses of six pharmacies have been revoked.

Furthermore, in accordance with international Conventions ratified  by Mauritius, the Pharmacy Board has to submit quarterly and annual returns on the consumption of psychotropic substances to the International  Narcotics Control Board (INCB).  So far, there has been no adverse comment on the returns made.