Prescription-only medicines supplementing use of other illegal drugs, says report

Prescription-only drugs are being used to complement the use of other illegal drugs such as cocaine and heroine, a recent report by the government’s drug advisors has found.

The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) investigated whether medicines are being taken by people they were prescribed for. This is also known as the diversion and illicit supply of medicines (DISM).  

The report also compared the situation in the US, where the issue is well established, with the UK to examine the potential medical and social harms.

The inquiry found that prescription drugs are not replacing traditional street drugs, but are instead being used to supplement their use. For example, prescription medicines are being used to complement effects of illegal drugs by users to alleviate withdrawal symptoms, tiding users over until they can access or afford Class ‘A’ drugs.

The use of these medicines leads to an increased risk of accidental overdose, infection and blood borne viruses. Medicines supplied illegally also have the chance of being counterfeit, bringing about more risk.

The practice is made possible due to the involvement of users’ friends, who can obtain the medicines through legitimate means. It may also be made possible through the sale of prescription medicines online which may be supplying prescriptions and medicines unethically.

The ACMD’s report recommends health professionals and organisations support the development of tailored treatment for those who misuse or have become dependent on prescription or over-the-counter medicines and keep a watch list of prescribed medicines that could be abused.

The report also calls for prison health care commissioners to take responsibility for the issue by providing protection against the problem in prison healthcare provider specifications.  

Professor Ray Hill, chair of the Diversion and Illicit Supply of Medicines Inquiry, said: “We call on the Government and public health bodies to have increased awareness and policies in place to tackle the diversion and supply of prescription medicines, which has become of growing public concern across the globe in recent years.  Our inquiry has found misuse of prescribed medicine supplements the abuse of traditional illicit drugs - increasing the risk of accidental overdose, infections and blood-borne viruses. We remain particularly concerned with the on-going trends of diversion of medications in the prison environment.”