Nonmedical use of prescription drugs

The current COVID-19 pandemic has dominated the global headlines in past year. In this setting, it is perhaps easy to push other, equally challenging, health priorities into background. long-term impact of diverting limited resources battle against COVID-19, and neglecting other important related public such as climate change, immergence drug-resistant tuberculosis, persistence malaria, burden non-communicable disease, may not be obvious for several years. An crisis that risks being neglected during growing rate prescription medicine misuse, also referred nonmedical use (NMU) medicines. misuse medicines generally refers intentional repurposing prescribed so they are no longer used intended indication, often recreational purposes or performance enhancement.1 drugs primary concern opioids, gabapentinoids, central nervous system depressants (e.g., sedatives hypnotics), stimulants methylphenidate). While problem well recognised a healthcare issue United States2, 3 developed counties,1, 4 there increasing about morbidity mortality from NMU globally. themed issue, Paul Dargan David Wood Guy's St Thomas' NHS King's College, London have collected series papers explore broad stem symposium held 2019 annual meeting British Pharmacological Society Edinburgh, Scotland. Themed Issue explores harm caused by but benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, antiepileptic drugs. There insights Kingdom, Europe, States, Asian countries. A welcome contribution literature summary tools can characterise extent opioids abuse difficult detect using usual data sources databases insurance claims. This because trafficking sale occurs large part outside legitimate channels. Hockenhull et al. describe web-monitoring get better understanding buprenorphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, tramadol Kingdom.5 Internet monitoring though one methods measure opioid misuse. Richard Dart strategy mosaic surveillance which provides comprehensive description illicit misuse.6 Interestingly, real-world analysis revealed declining States since 2011, unfortunately offset an increase heroin fentanyl abuse. will always continue exist, anticipated less prescriptions ultimately translate overall additional information on prescription-medicine ambulance attendances, emergency department presentations, hospital datasets, Poison Centers Information Services.7 Bringing these together, process called ‘data triangulation’, powerful tool further well-known Australia New Zealand Europe. However, much known regions. Chan fill some missing reviewing various regions Asia-Pacific Region, including Iran, Iraq, China, Thailand, Singapore.8 available suggest substantial more effort needed fully problems enormously wide diverse region facing. overlooked drug terms tramadol. addiction potential regarded low, its not. Review presentations Layne al,9 behalf Euro-Den Plus project project, found relatively uncommon Europe compared involves co-use finding sharp contrast with situation Arabic countries Iran where serious problem, possibly higher incidence ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metabolizers Middle East North/West Africa.9 restricted opioids. It includes benzodiazepines so-called Z-drugs zolpidem zopiclone. Less drugs, while could again provide valuable future policies decrease report gathered UK survey programme (NMURx), Research Abuse, Diversion Addiction Related Surveillance (RADARS®) System.10 authors interesting findings respect both alone combination how average user actually acquires Finally, GABA analogues European NMURx France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Kingdom.11 differences between countries, highest GABA-analogues Germany Spain. ably highlights importance post-COVID-19 world, expertise currently stretched viral need refocused challenges should high priority. Hopefully then thoroughly analysed mathematical modelling techniques previously reported deaths accidental overdoses, aid development effective prevention control strategies.12 Updates include rates many mentioned issue. hopefully lead competing interests declare.