Question
Untitled item
S4W-28843 · Written Question · lodged by Buchanan, Cameron
Lodged on
04 Dec 2015Heard / answered on
16 Dec 2015To ask the Scottish Government when it last discussed with experts the need for action on prescribed drug dependence, and whether that discussion included nitrazepam and Effexor.
The answer
Advice to clinicians on dependence on prescribed medicines is issued from a number of sources, including the Royal College of General Practitioners, the British Medical Association and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Medical student teaching now emphasises that benzodiazepines have an important place in treatment but should not be overused or continued indefinitely. All GP prescribing is monitored and discussed individually through annual appraisal, and all practice prescribing is monitored by NHS boards.
The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland jointly published in March 2015 the Polypharmacy Guidance which provides guidance for all clinicians on the review of long-term medicines, drawn from NICE, with specific advice on withdrawing medicines such as benzodiazepines and addressing the prescribing of antidepressants.
Medical student teaching now emphasises that benzodiazepines have an important place in treatment but should not be overused or continued indefinitely. All GP prescribing is monitored and discussed individually through annual appraisal, and all practice prescribing is monitored by NHS boards.
The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland jointly published in March 2015 the Polypharmacy Guidance which provides guidance for all clinicians on the review of long-term medicines, drawn from NICE, with specific advice on withdrawing medicines such as benzodiazepines and addressing the prescribing of antidepressants.
Answered by Shona Robison on 16 Dec 2015.