Patient and Practitioner Experiences of Prescription Drug Dependence.

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Patient and Practitioner's Experiences of Prescription Drug Dependence and Associated Treatment in England- A Qualitative Study.

• IRAS ID

  296189

• Contact name

  Richard Cooper

• Contact email

  richard.cooper@sheffield.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Sheffield

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  “Patient and Practitioner Experiences of Prescription Drug Dependence and Associated Treatment in England- A Qualitative Study”.

  This study will be a qualitative exploration into the experiences of patients who are dependent on prescription medications, and those who prescribe the following medications in particular the following therapeutic groups:

  • Antidepressants
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Gabapentin/Pregabalin
  • Opioids (for non cancer pain)
  • Z Drugs

  Despite regulation under the Medicines Act 1968, prescription drug abuse and dependence are increasing. The increase in and over-prescription of medicines is a growing public health concern. There is a lack of research concerning important aspects of this area, such as the patient experiences of the dependence on, and withdrawal from, these medicines.

  The data will be collected through semi-structured interviews, via a phone interview or through an online video conferencing programme if COVID-19 restrictions still apply, and in person if restrictions have begun to lift. The interviews will last 45-60mins. Participants will be recruited participants from drug treatment and recovery services, pain clinics, GP practices and Pharmacies from the South Yorkshire area, and potentially Nottinghamshire if there proves to be barriers to recruitment in the South Yorkshire area.

• REC name

  Wales REC 6

• REC reference

  21/WA/0254

• Date of REC Opinion

  27 Aug 2021

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion