New BMA report calls for concerted action to tackle dependence caused by prescribed drugs

The BMA Board of Science has released a significant report, Prescribed Drugs Associated with Dependence and Withdrawal – Building a Consensus, which highlights the extensive efforts required from the government, medical profession, and research community to address this critical public health issue effectively.

Government statistics reveal a sharp increase in prescriptions for tranquillisers, antidepressants, and opioid-based painkillers, totaling 107 million prescriptions in 2014.

The BMA report examined responses from various professional and governing bodies, including the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, as well as charities and support organizations. The analysis uncovered several key issues:

• Insufficient GP Training: Many GPs lack training on prescription drug dependence, leading to low confidence in managing dependence and an underestimation of withdrawal effects.
• Harmful Prescribing Practices: There is substantial evidence of long-term prescribing practices that fall outside clinical guidelines, coupled with inadequate monitoring.
• Under-Funding of Non-Drug Therapies: Insufficient funding for non-drug therapies contributes to the continued use of prescription medications.
• Shortage of Specialist Services: There is a serious under-provision and lack of funding for specialist support services.
• Need for More Data and Research: There is an urgent need for more data on the prevalence of the problem and further clinical research into the harms of long-term prescribing.

In response to the report, APPG Chair Paul Flynn MP stated, “Many of the issues highlighted in this report have been recognized for decades, and it is a public health scandal that so little progress has been made to assist those affected. The BMA report now demonstrates a consensus among medical bodies and charities on the necessary actions to mitigate the harms of prescribed drug dependence. I urge the BMA to build on this consensus and drive action both within the BMA and the Department of Health. The APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence believes that providing support services for those who have become dependent is paramount, starting with a government-funded national telephone helpline.”