Press Release: APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence welcomes new action plan by NHS England to tackle prescribed drug dependence and withdrawal

The APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence welcomes the publication of NHS England’s Framework for Action, ‘Optimising Personalised Care for Adults Prescribed Medicines Associated with Dependence or Withdrawal Symptoms’.

This framework aims to encourage Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to develop and implement safe deprescribing services in their areas to support patients experiencing prescribed drug dependence and withdrawal. It also seeks to identify patients who should reduce or discontinue their medications through programs such as Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs).

The provision of local support services for individuals suffering from prescribed drug dependence and withdrawal was a key recommendation in Public Health England’s 2019 Prescribed Medicines Review. This review found that:

• 26% of the adult population in England had been prescribed a dependency-forming medication in the previous year.
• Patients report severe harmful effects and disabilities during withdrawal, which can last for months or even years.
• There is a significant lack of services available to support individuals with prescribed drug dependence.

Recent research also reveals that approximately £500 million is wasted annually on unnecessary prescribing of dependency-forming medications like antidepressants and benzodiazepines.

The framework includes details about the ‘Lived and Professional Experience Advisory Panel for Prescribed Drug Dependence’ (https://leap4pdd.org/), which has been established to connect NHS commissioners with lived experience experts and charities ready to assist in the development of new services.

Lord Crisp, former CEO of the NHS and Co-chair of the APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence, says:

“For decades, patients have endured life-changing withdrawal symptoms from medications such as sleeping pills and antidepressants with minimal support or recognition from the health service. The APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence welcomes this new framework from NHS England, which should lead to the establishment of services across the country to support those in need.

However, it will take months, if not years, to fully develop these services. In the meantime, we urge the Government to implement its own recommendation for a 24-hour national helpline and website to support those in crisis today. Together, these initiatives will save lives, alleviate suffering, and reduce unnecessary costs to the public purse.”