Paper of the Week: 30th September 2019 – Overuse of low value dependence forming medications is common (and more likely if you live in a deprived area)
ruth brice2019-09-30T08:56:49+00:00This week’s blog is brought to you by: Professor Alf Collins, Clinical Director for Personalised Care, NHS England and Improvement. Full reference and title from the journal: Link to Public Health England Prescribed Medicines Review - Click here Authors conclusion In England in the year 2017 to 2018, 1-in-4 adults in England were prescribed benzodiazepines, z-drugs, gabapentinoids, opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, or antidepressants. There are large variations in standardised rates of prescribing at the level of CCGs. The rate of prescribing and the time receiving a prescription increase with deprivation. Longer-term prescribing is widespread. Aside from antidepressants, the medications reviewed are all licensed and indicated for (usually) short-term treatment of acute conditions. Patients described not being [...]