Concerns raised about the large quantity of methadone being purchased for inmates at Inverness Prison

It has been reported that NHS Highland ordered more than 58,000 doses of methadone for Inverness Prison in September.

It has just 117 inmates meaning that equates to 16 doses per day of the heroin substitute.

In a statement NHS Highland health bosses said it was simply responding to the “high turnover” of prisoners after the figures were revealed by way of a freedom of information request.

Methadone, sold under the brand name Dolophine, is used for addiction therapy in heroin dependence and for chronic pain management.

When asked if it was stockpiling methadone in light of a no deal Brexit, an NHS Highland spokeswoman said: “We are not stockpiling medication.

"We order what is needed depending on inmate population and their individual needs and, given the high turnover of inmates in and out of HMP Inverness, it is good practice to have some stock in place for anyone new coming into the prison population. “

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary MSP, Liam Kerr said: “Methadone contributed to nearly half of all deaths last year.

“Prison should rehabilitate them to become healthy and productive members of society.

“Weaning them off drugs should be part of that approach. So we propose a radical approach to redesigning and investing in addiction services and rehabilitation."

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