The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has been asked to develop new guidelines for GPs on prescribing addictive painkillers, amid rising concerns over dependence on prescription drugs. The move follows a campaign by the Daily Mail and comes as one in 11 UK patients are prescribed potentially addictive drugs, a 50 per cent increase since 2000.
Professor Gillian Leng of NICE stated: 'NICE has been asked to develop a guideline covering safe prescribing of drugs associated with dependence and the management of withdrawing from these drugs.' The guidelines aim to address the growing crisis, with an average of five opioid-related deaths reported daily in the UK.
Problems often arise when patients receive post-operative drugs and remain on them for months or years. The new advice will make clear to GPs the dangers of prescribing opioids and other addictive substances, and outline how to help patients withdraw from them.
The guidelines have been welcomed by doctors, including Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard, chairman of the Royal College of GPs. She said they 'should offer support to prescribing healthcare professionals, particularly in terms of alternatives when developing a treatment plan.' However, she warned that GPs face a lack of alternatives for chronic pain, which could put them 'in an extremely difficult position.'
Currently, there is no specific support for patients addicted to prescription medication, despite extensive resources for those abusing illegal drugs. The new guidelines are expected to help address this gap.
