To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what steps he is taking to stop the sale of naturally occurring melatonin in health food shops; what representations he has received calling for chemical equivalents to be available on prescription; and what assessment he has made of the differences between the two products; [11629](2) what proposals he has for making melatonin available as a dietary supplement without prescription. [11582]

Melatonin, whatever its source, is an unlicensed medicinal product and available in the United Kingdom only on prescription. It is not a dietary supplement and the Medicines Control Agency has taken action to prevent its unlawful sale or supply in health food shops. If an application for a marketing authorisation for melatonin as a medicinal product is received, the MCA will assess the product in accordance with the law.