3,334 drug deaths in just six years
By Lloyd Mudiwa. The annual number of drug-related deaths recorded in 2009 in the National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) fell slightly to 638, compared to 641 in 2008, although the 2009 figure is...
View ArticleService shortfalls are the reason behind prescribing rates — IMO
By Dara Gantly. The level of prescribing of benzodiazepines in this country reflects the deficiency or absence of other services, in particular counselling, the Chair of the IMO GP Committee has...
View ArticleCommunity detox scheme goes national
Professionals from a variety of roles have been nominated to undertake brokering in the various pilot sites Following a successful pilot, a new community detox programme for benzodiazepines and...
View ArticleOver 65s at increased risk of developing dementia with benzodiazepines
Photo by Rex Features Patients over the age of 65 years who begin taking benzodiazepines are at an approximately 50 per cent increased risk of developing dementia within 15 years compared to...
View ArticleWhite plans more controls on use of benzodiazepines
Alex White, Minister of State By Lloyd Mudiwa. Minister of State Alex White has expressed concern about the health risks associated with the inappropriate or long-term use of sedatives, tranquillisers...
View ArticleCollege releases guidelines on benzodiazepines
Dr Anne Jeffers By Valerie Ryan. Benzodiazepines are only licensed for use for four weeks and medicating for longer than this periods is off-label prescribing, the College of Psychiatry of Ireland has...
View ArticleSome sedatives are linked to increased fatal pneumonia risk
Photo by Monkey Business s / Rex Features Commonly prescribed sleeping pills/sedatives may increase the risk of contracting pneumonia by as much as 50 per cent and increase the risk of dying from it,...
View ArticleDoH clarifies policy on handwritten scripts
Photo by Denis Closon / Rex Features By Catherine Reilly. Draft amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations do not propose that prescriptions for benzodiazepines and z-drugs be handwritten,...
View ArticleSelf-harm and suicide drop
Photo by Design Pics Inc / Rex Features By Catherine Reilly. Benzodiazepines remained by far the most common type of medication involved in intentional acts of the most common method of self-harm —...
View ArticleData on antidepressant prescribing now available
By Gary Culliton. GPs can now monitor their own prescribing of antidepressants by reviewing the data on the PCRS Suite of Online Services for GPs. This is in addition to the audit facility for...
View ArticleBenzodiazepines do not increase dementia risk
Use of benzodiazepines in the elderly to treat anxiety and insomnia is not associated with an increased risk of dementia, a study has found. However, the paper published in The BMJ said doctors were...
View ArticleA Harty congratulations to you!
Failures and successes both attract attention, notes Dr Ruairi Hanley, who chides in equal measure the ‘blame bandwagon’ and fair-weather friends I read in various newspapers that street dealing of...
View Article‘Fake’ benzos potency fears rise
Concerns over contamination and overdose risks with emergence of ‘fake’ benzos in Ireland this year The post ‘Fake’ benzos potency fears rise appeared first on Irish Medical Times.
View ArticleMedical Council issues advice to doctors prescribing benzodiazepines, z-drugs...
Medical Council warning to doctors to reduce benzodiazepines overprescribing or face potential investigation The post Medical Council issues advice to doctors prescribing benzodiazepines, z-drugs and...
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