Opioid analgesics

Benzodiazepines linked to overdose deaths among those treated for opioid dependency

Individuals treated for opioid dependency who also take benzodiazepines are almost three times more likely to die from an overdose, research published in PLoS Medicine has suggested.…

Top ten features of 2019

Among our most-read features in 2019 was an investigation into whether pharmacists are dispensing too many multicompartment compliance aids, and another on why thousands of patients are being left on potentially risky drug combinations involving anticoagulants.…

Top five infographics of 2019

Medicines-related harm is an issue close to the hearts of all of those who work in pharmacy, making our infographic on medication errors the most popular of 2019.…

Opioids linked to more than half of hospital admissions for drug misuse poisoning

More than half of all hospital admissions for drug misuse poisoning in England are related to opioids other than heroin, figures from NHS Digital have shown.…

‘Peer-to-peer naloxone’ project to give street access to the medicine

A pilot scheme that will provide the overdose reversal medicine, naloxone, to those who need it on the streets could be extended across the UK.…

‘Painkillers don’t exist’ campaign launched in area with one of the highest opioid prescribing rates in England

A clinical commissioning group in the north east of England has launched a campaign to tackle opioid addiction after it was found to have one of the highest prescribing rates of opioids in the country.…

Gripping account of the human cost of the United States’ opioid crisis

BBC Three. Addicted: America’s Opioid Crisis…

Moratorium on online dispensing of opioids is required

An undercover investigation carried out by The Times is further proof that online pharmacies should be prohibited from prescribing and dispensing opioid medicines until they can prove they are safe.…

Researchers to design pharmacist-led intervention for patients using long-term opioids

A five-year research programme has been launched to develop and test a pharmacist-led intervention for patients taking regular opioids for long-term pain.…

RPS calls for investigation after online pharmacies prescribed opioids to undercover reporter

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has called for an urgent investigation to be carried out after five online pharmacies prescribed opioids to an undercover reporter for The Times without contacting the reporter’s GP.…