Crisis over addictive drugs prescriptions

An “alarming” report has revealed that one in four British adults are being prescribed potentially addictive drugs – and half are still hooked on them a year later. Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, warned that Britain was now “in the grip of an over-medication crisis”.

ONE in four British adults are being prescribed potentially addictive drugs – and half are still hooked on them a year later, a bombshell report reveals.

Last night the Health Secretary said the findings were “alarming”, warning that Britain was now “in the grip of an over-medication crisis” as he promised immediate action.

Matt Hancock said he was “incredibly concerned” by the disclosure, pledging to ensure it does not escalate to the epidemic being seen in the US.

Health officials said the findings, which provide the first data mapping out the scale of dependence on heavy painkillers, anxiety drugs and antidepressants, should be treated as a “wakeup call”.

Women were more than 50 per cent more likely to be taking such pills, with rates rising with age, the investigation found. The review by Public Health England calls for the creation of a national helpline to ensure Britain does not follow in the steps of the US.

It found that in England, almost 12million adults a year are being prescribed drugs on which they may become dependent.

These include 7.3million people taking antidepressants – more than one in six adults – as well as 5.6 million on opioid pain medications and 3.9 million taking drugs such as benzodiazepines, Z drugs and gabapentinoids used to treat anxiety and insomnia. In many cases, patients were taking more than one type of treatment, with more than half a million people on a cocktail of opioids and antidepressants.

In around half of cases, those prescribed such drugs had been on them for at least 12 months – despite the fact that they are supposed to be reserved for short-term treatment. Up to a third of patients had been on them for at least three years, including 930,000 people on antidepressants, 540,000 on opioids and 160,000 on gabapentinoids.

Because of the risk of addiction – and withdrawal symptoms – medicines containing opioids should not normally be prescribed for more than three months, while benzodiazepines are not supposed to be used for more than a month.

Mr Hancock said: “I’m incredibly concerned by this new evidence about the impact over-medicalisation is having on people across our country. The disturbing findings of the report – especially that one in eight adults in England are taking super strength, addictive opioid painkillers, many for extended periods of time – proves to me that we are in the grip of an over-medication crisis.

“What is equally alarming is that in many cases, these medicines are unlikely to be working effectively due to overuse. I refuse to let this escalate to the level seen in the United States. This review is a wake-up call.”

Professor Helen Stokes-lampard, of the Royal College of GPS, said: “GPS don’t want to prescribe medication long-term unless it is essential … but there will always be some patients for whom medication is the only thing that helps with distressing conditions such as chronic pain, or depression and anxiety.

“Whilst the vast majority of prescriptions will be appropriate, if we are to reverse the prescribing trends outlined in this report, GPS need better access for our patients to alternative therapies in the community.”