Pregabalin and gabapentin to be controlled as class C drugs
Just to say the fatalities they mention in this article are from people who misuse the drugs and NOT from people who have been prescribed the drugs.
I have bolded the last paragraph because I think that is the bit that members on here will most need to know.
Prescription drugs pregabalin and gabapentin are to be reclassified as class C controlled substances from next April, the government announced
Today’s move comes after experts highlighted rising numbers of fatalities linked to the drugs. The change means it will be illegal to possess pregabalin and gabapentin without a prescription and it will be illegal to supply or sell them to others.
The drugs, which are used to treat nerve pain, epilepsy and anxiety, can bring about an elevated mood in users but can also have serious side effects, particularly when used in combination with other drugs.
In 2016, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) raised concerns over medicinal misuse, illegal diversion of the drugs and addiction, and recommended that pregabalin and gabapentin should be controlled as class C Drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
The government accepted the ACMD’s advice and launched a public consultation to assess the impact on the healthcare sector. Pharmacies, doctors, pharmaceutical companies and patients responded to the consultation, which has been published today, backing the tighter controls of the drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations.
Regulations implementing the change in law to control the drugs will be laid in Parliament on Wednesday.
Minister for Crime, Safeguarding and Vulnerability Victoria Atkins said:
Any death related to the misuse of drugs is a tragedy. We accepted expert advice and will now change the law to help prevent misuse of pregabalin and gabapentin and addiction to them.
While drug misuse is lower now than it was 10 years ago, we remain committed to reducing it and the harm it causes.
That is why we have published a comprehensive strategy to tackle the illicit drug trade, protect the most vulnerable and help those with drug dependency to recover and turn their lives around.
The law change will mean the drugs are still available for legitimate use on prescription, but there will be stronger controls in place to ensure accountability and minimise the chances of pregabalin and gabapentin falling into the wrong hands or being stockpiled by patients.
Doctors will now need to physically sign prescriptions, rather than electronic copies being accepted by pharmacists. In addition, pharmacists must dispense the drugs within 28 days of the prescription being written.
To ensure that there is enough lead-in time for those in the health care sector to adapt to the new measures, they will come into force in April 2019.
Re: Pregabalin and gabapentin to be controlled as class C drugs
Re: Pregabalin and gabapentin to be controlled as class C drugs
Quote:
While drug misuse is lower now than it was 10 years ago, we remain committed to reducing it and the harm it causes.
What a load of crappage. Paracetamol is more dangerous than gabapentin or pregabalin. This is all about the big money street dealers are making from pregabalin - and gabapentin sold in the guise of pregabalin :lac:
I believe it's already a 'controlled substance' in US. Won't make much difference to those of us using it legitimately though.
Re: Pregabalin and gabapentin to be controlled as class C drugs
Thanks for info, Miss V ;)
Re: Pregabalin and gabapentin to be controlled as class C drugs
Quote:
Originally Posted by
KK77
What a load of crappage. Paracetamol is more dangerous than gabapentin or pregabalin. This is all about the big money street dealers are making from pregabalin - and gabapentin sold in the guise of pregabalin :lac:
I believe it's already a 'controlled substance' in US. Won't make much difference to those of us using it legitimately though.
The push to upgrade these meds has all been about substance misusers and prisoners. Properly prescribed patients are never considered and all we see in the media are biased reports demonising these meds. If upgrading this leads to less being prescribed hence less in the hands of substance misusers then we have to question what are doctors doing wrong as it is they who are giving the stuff out!
Upgrading it will allow the police and Courts to levy stiffer sentencing though. It will also make it more important to Customs who seem to be less interested in Schedule 4 substances where meds tend to start.
The sad outcome of this is likely going to be seeing doctors become more afraid of prescribing it in the case of Pregabalin, a drug that many are already making excuses about not giving out.
Thanks for the update, Venus.
