Drug fight comes to parliament

TWO women whose lives have been ruined by prescription drugs are taking their battle for recognition to the Scottish Government.

Fiona French and Ann Kelly have suffered physically and mentally since they stopped taking the medication.

Now they have submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament asking for recognition and support for those affected.

They want to raise awareness of the effects of dependence on and withdrawal from prescribed benzodiazepines and antidepressants.

Fiona, 61, from Aberdeen, was on benzodiazepines – an anticonvulsant drug – for more than 40 years as a treatment for mild epilepsy.

She said: “So far, the Scottish Government has refused to commit funding to a helpline and specialist services despite a clear need for these, as announced by the British Medical Association in 2016.”

In her submission to the petition she said she was “left disabled”, adding: “I have lost my independence and my retirement is in tatters.”

Ann Kelly, 52, from Dunbartonshire, was on antidepressants for 15 to 20 years.

However, as the effectiveness of the medication decreased, her doctor raised the dose.

Ann now believes her mild anxiety did not need to be treated with antidepressants and the mental health symptoms she had were caused by the drugs.

After weaning themselves off the medication, both women said they spent months unable to walk.

Their petition is due to be heard at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday.

The Scottish Government said NHS Scotland has published guidance for all clinicians on the need to review the prescribing of longterm medicines and the impact of withdrawing medicines.