The Scottish Government has been urged to ensure all hospital accident and emergency departments report overdoses and injuries involving legal highs.
Labour health spokeswoman Jenny Marra said there was currently no requirement to do so which meant doctors were unable to share best practice in helping patients.
The north-east MSP added that there was “no clear picture” on the impact legal highs were having on young people and how big a danger they are to public health.
Ms Marra issued the call last night ahead of a ministerial statement to parliament this afternoon.
Community Safety Minister Paul Wheelhouse will update MSPs on the government’s approach to tackling new psychoactive substances, which are often packaged and sold under the guise of plant food.
They can be legally purchased over the internet and at licensed shops across the country.
Ms Marra said: “Last week the SNP followed our lead and committed to a more transparent NHS – the more we know about the pressures on it the better we can support it.
“That is why the government must commit to reporting admittance to our accident and emergency wards associated with legal highs.
“Today there is no requirement for departments to report overdoses and injuries associated with legal highs, doctors can’t share best practice in helping patients.
“It also means there are no clear picture on the impact of legal highs on young people in Scotland, and how big a danger they are to public health.
“The government in Edinburgh should back our plan to report centrally.”