UK Government outlines steps to tackle growing misuse of fentanyl
pharmafile | October 26, 2020 | News story | Sales and Marketing |Â Â Â
The British Government has responded to a report investigating the misuse of fentanyl and painkillers in the UK.
In January of this year, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) report published a report on the misuse of fentanyl and fentanyl analogues following the spread of substance abuse deaths from prescription painkillers in Europe. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate painkiller that is 100 times stronger than heroin and is fuelling opioid crises worldwide, particularly in America.
The study showed that 2.2 million people in England and Wales have reported using prescription painkillers that have not been prescribed to them over the last year. It also highlighted the increase in drug-related deaths from prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and gabapentinoids. The ACMD’s report made recommendations to combat the health risks from fentanyl.
The government responded to the research, collecting responses from the Scottish and Welsh Government and the Northern Ireland Assembly. All agreed to commissioning of further research to study the diversion and non-medical use of strong opioids, but the Scottish Government said that the research should be weighed against other issues that are of significant concern in Scotland that would also be a priority for additional research; for example, the use of benzodiazepines.
The UK Government agreed that a full review of international drug strategy approaches to fentanyl markets should be carried out. This would be undertaken by the Home Office that would liaise with the Border Force and the National Crime Agency. It will also discuss the issue of fentanyl supply with international partners and will prepare a report with the findings by June 2021.
The report also highlighted the way Canada has dealt with a huge spike in fentanyl overdoses and deaths. In response, the country has decreased supply through supporting law enforcement with drug seizures, the dismantling of illegal drug operations and working with private sector partners to address the laundering of the proceeds of fentanyl trafficking. The ACMD recommends the UK implement some of these tactics.
Conor Kavanagh
