The pills blighting our lives

OLDER people with dementia are all too often prescribed benzodiazepines to sedate them. These drugs may offer relief in the short term, but are highly addictive and can make agitation and anxiety worse when stopped.

This week, a study provided further evidence of the damage these pills cause, showing that they double the risk of a broken hip in older people (as the drug wears off, the person is still groggy and liable to fall).

It’s yet another reason why I loathe this group of medicines: they should only be prescribed in exceptional circumstances because they are otherwise incredibly dangerous and blight the lives of so many.

And that’s why I wholeheartedly support the Daily Mail’s campaign for a national helpline for people hooked on these awful pills. It’s time the NHS took responsibility for the damage it has helped cause.