The Council for Evidence-based Psychiatry, in collaboration with the University of Roehampton and with the support of Baylissa Frederick of Recovery Road, has launched a survey to gather data on the experiences and provision needs of those who are suffering, or have suffered, from prescribed drug dependence (PDD) and withdrawal. The survey is open to all […]
World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day is on 11th July
On 11th July 2017 World Benzodiazepine Awareness Day (W-BAD) celebrates its second year and the launch of its official website which can be found at http://w-bad.org. W-BAD is a grassroots victim-organized and led campaign that seeks to raise global awareness about the harms and dangers of prescribed benzodiazepines. Some objectives of the awareness campaign include: preventing […]
The Daily Telegraph and Mail Online: Dr James Davies says quiz used to diagnose depression is designed by Pfizer
Dr James Davies is interviewed today in The Daily Telegraph about a questionnaire used by doctors to diagnose depression and anxiety in the UK. “These forms have a very low criteria for anxiety and depression’” says Davies. “Millions of people have filled them and in and got medication, but did they know they were developed by […]
Daily Mail: the NHS must help blameless victims of prescribed drug dependence
As part of their support for the campaign for a national helpline, the Daily Mail yesterday published a two page spread in the Good Health section which included the story of Pamela Wilson, a former law courts executive officer, who became dependent on painkillers for 27 years. Dr Max Pemberton, a regular columnist, also describes how he has […]
Petition calling on the Scottish Parliament to support individuals affected by prescribed drug dependence
A petition has been set up calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to take action to appropriately recognise and effectively support individuals affected and harmed by prescribed drug dependence and withdrawal. The petition can be accessed here: http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651
The Guardian: How long should you stay on antidepressants?
CEP members Dr James Davies and Prof Peter Gøtzsche both feature in an article in The Guardian which considers how long patients should stay on antidepressants, and whether they are addictive. The paper quotes Dr Davies: “Dependence can be physical or psychological. People may feel they are only better because they take the drug.” It also […]
APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence publishes declaration of support for helpline
The APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence has today published a Declaration of Support for a national 24 hour helpline and accompanying website. The declaration is signed by numerous medical bodies and charities, including: The BMA The Royal College of Psychiatrists The Royal College of GPs The Royal College of Physicians The Royal Society for Public […]
APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence publishes proposal for national helpline
The APPG for Prescribed Drug Dependence has today published its proposal for a national helpline to help patients affected by prescribed drug dependence. CEP provides the Secretariat for the APPG, and some of its members authored the report. The full report can be downloaded from this link.
MPs and peers present case for national prescribed drug helpline to Public Health England
Members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence (APPG for PDD) met at Westminster on 15 March in order to lobby Public Health England for a national 24 hour helpline to help patients withdraw from opioid painkillers, tranquilisers and antidepressants. Parliamentarians who attended included Paul Flynn MP (chair), Sir Oliver Letwin MP, […]
The Daily Mail backs APPG and BMA call for national prescribed drug helpline
The Daily Mail has today joined the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Prescribed Drug Dependence and the BMA in their call for a national helpline to help patients seeking to withdraw from benzodiazepines, antidepressants and opioid painkillers. The paper has published two articles on the topic: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4354304/Thousands-turned-drug-addicts-doctors.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4354894/A-million-patients-anti-depressants-don-t-need.html#comments-4354894