Fears over our most common painkiller
Co-codamol prescriptions double in a decade
A POTENTIALLY addictive drug has become the most commonly prescribed painkiller in Scotland.
Almost three million prescriptions for co- codamol were handed out by family doctors last year, latest figures show.
The drug has overtaken paracetamol and aspirin in the top ten most commonly dispensed items.
Co- codamol contains codeine, an opiate that belongs to the same family of drugs as morphine and heroin. It creates a feeling of calm and well-being, but can also be addictive.
The Scottish Government figures show 2.71million co-codamol prescriptions were issued last year, compared to 2.69million in 2012.
Last night, Glasgow GP Dr Des Spence called for action to reverse the trend. He said: ‘Patients and doctors perceive co- codamol as being the safest of all opioids, but that doesn’t mean it is safe.
‘Prescriptions of co- codamol have almost doubled in a decade and that doesn’t reflect an increase in pain, but a lack of supervision of prescriptions.’
Dr Spence has written to the British Medical Journal calling for ‘urgent research, action and honesty’ so the scale of potential addiction to co- codamol can be identified.
He said: ‘Addiction to co-codamol i s not something to be embarrassed about. We overuse painkillers and understate the risk of dependence.
‘A lot of people are unaware they have a problem and they don’t see it as being an issue. Because it’s a prescribed medication, there is an assumption it is safe.
‘There is a public interest in highlighting the concerns about the addictive possibility with some drugs.’
Dr Spence added: ‘ Across the Atlantic they have had enormous problems with addiction to prescription medication. We have been spared the worst of it but it is an issue in the UK.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘ The prescribing of appropriate medicine is a clinical decision based on the specific needs of the patient.
‘All doctors must be familiar with and f ollow the General Medical Council publication Good Medical Practice and the explanatory guidance, which contain specific reference to prescribing drugs.’