To ask the Minister of Health to detail any correlation observed between those suffering from orthopaedic pain and alcohol or drug addiction issues.

The misuse of prescription medication has been shown to be associated with a wide range of substance use related harms. As well as people illicitly seeking out prescription medicines, there can also be issues with involuntary addiction to prescription medications if they are not taken or prescribed in line with guidelines – this can particularly occur in relation to sedatives/tranquilisers and opioids in relation to managing chronic pain.

A review was undertaken in England in 2017 to identify the scale, distribution and causes of prescription drug dependence, and what might be done to address it. It showed that in the year 2017-18, 1-in-4 adults in England were prescribed benzodiazepines, z-drugs, gabapentinoids, opioids for chronic non-cancer pain, or antidepressants.

There are also cases where individuals try to access medication online if prescriptions they feel they require are not increased or stopped too quickly. This increases their chances of getting lower quality medication and incorrect dosage quantities which can lead to an increased risk of harm.

Under the NI Executive’s substance use strategy Preventing Harm Empowering Recovery, DoH Strategic Planning & Performance Group will produce an updated Prescription Drug Misuse Action Plan which, building on current processes, will include additional support to monitor prescribing levels, as well as support for prescribers to better understand who may be at risk of harms.