BMA calls for new action plan to help those addicted to prescription drugs

The British Medical Association (BMA) has urged the government to adopt a national plan of action to improve support for people addicted to prescription drugs.

Writing to public health minister Nicola Blackwood, the organisation called for the creation of a 24/7 helpline for prescribed drug dependence, as well as a national strategy for specialist services for these patients, plus more robust guidance on managing withdrawal.

The national helpline was highlighted as the top priority, with suggestions it could be modelled on FRANK, the service provided for those addicted to illegal drugs.

Research led by the BMA board of science into dependence on substances such as benzodiazepines, z-drugs, opioids and antidepressants have shown this is a growing problem, with prescriptions for antidepressants alone having doubled over the past decade.

More than 70 million prescriptions were issued in 2015 at a cost of 340 million pounds, with many of those suffering dependence on such therapies experiencing serious health problems as a consequence.

BMA board of science chair Parveen Kumar said: "The provision of services for these patients is inconsistent across the country and it is clear that a national approach for services and guidance is needed."

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