The APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence was launched at a meeting held in the House of Lords on 30 June 2015. The APPG will be chaired by Paul Flynn MP, with David Tredinnick MP, Lord Patel of Bradford, Baroness Masham of Ilton and the Earl of Sandwich all elected as co-chairs.
The Council for Evidence-based Psychiatry (cepuk.org) was appointed as the Secretariat, supported by Mr Harry Shapiro.
It was agreed that the mission statement will be: “The APPG for PDD will recognise, address and reduce the harm caused by prescribed drug dependence”.
The objectives of the APPG will be:
1) To raise awareness of PDD by communicating the latest evidence to parliament, government and other policymakers
2) To ensure that the evidence is supported by appropriate research and analysis, including into long-term harm
3) To ensure appropriate withdrawal and support services are provided for those affected by PDD
4) To improve training and awareness of PDD among medical professionals
5) To reduce prescribing by ensuring adherence to existing guidelines, and through the creation of new guidelines where needed
The next meeting will be held in October 2015.