NHS accused of fuelling rise in opioid addiction Doctors warn the NHS is fuelling an addiction crisis because of an increase in the prescribing of powerful painkillers.
Nearly 24 million opioids, such as morphine, were prescribed in 2017 - equivalent to 2,700 packs an hour.
A drugs counsellor and former user told the BBC the NHS was "creating drug addicts".
The Royal College of GPs said doctors would not prescribe opioid painkillers as a "quick fix".
Opioids such as morphine, tramadol and fentanyl are super-strength painkillers, which can be highly addictive and can kill if misused. BBC News
See also:
Nearly 24 million opioids, such as morphine, were prescribed in 2017 - equivalent to 2,700 packs an hour.
A drugs counsellor and former user told the BBC the NHS was "creating drug addicts".
The Royal College of GPs said doctors would not prescribe opioid painkillers as a "quick fix".
Opioids such as morphine, tramadol and fentanyl are super-strength painkillers, which can be highly addictive and can kill if misused. BBC News
See also:
- Practice Level Prescribing in England: a summary NHS Digital
- GPs will not prescribe opioids as a 'quick fix' solution, says RCGP Royal College of General Practitioners
- Prescription rises inevitable as patients live longer, says College Royal College of General Practitioners
- NHS figures reveal the 20 drugs dished out most The Daily Mail
- NHS 'creating drug addicts' as figures show surge in prescriptions for powerful opioid painkillers The Daily Telegraph
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