Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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135. To ask the Minister for Health if he is aware of the widespread problem of street dealing and abuse of prescription drugs; the reason no progress has been made on finalising the draft regulations to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act; and the action and timescale he proposes to take in regard to this urgent issue. [39783/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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A Bill to amend the Misuse of Drugs Act so as to allow the Government to declare substances to be controlled and to clarify the provisions under which Ministerial orders and regulations are made is currently being drafted and is listed in the Government Legislative Programme for publication in 2016. This will once again allow regulations to be made and, if necessary and appropriate, bring under the scope of the Act new substances, and allow the introduction of stricter or less strict controls on substances which are already covered under the legislation. It is already an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations to possess with the intention of unlawful supply certain prescribed drugs.

It is important to note that the problem of abuse of prescription drugs will not be solved by regulations alone, and that prescribers need to ensure that these substances are only prescribed as appropriate.