A prescription drug linked to 33 deaths in 2017 in Northern Ireland is now being treated as a class C drug. Pregabalin is also known as Lyrica or street named bud. It is an anti-epileptic drug also used to relieve chronic pain. Northern Ireland has the highest prescription rate in the UK.
It is illegal to have a class C drug without prescription and is illegal to supply or sell them to others. There will be stronger controls in place to ensure responsibility and minimise the chances of pregabalin given to the wrong hands or being stockpiled by patients. Deaths relating to the prescription drugs are on the rise. In 2016 eight drugs deaths were linked to Lyrica misuse.
Pregabalin has side effects of depression, drowsiness and sedation. It can also cause breathing difficulties which lead to death and cardiovascular problems. It is dangerous if taken in small amounts with other drugs or alcohol.
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There is a growing amount of the drug in Northern Ireland with many people purchasing it online from unregulated websites. It is known that Lyrica has been going to Northern Ireland in constant levels for a number of years along with other prescribed drugs including temazepam and diazepam. Packages of the drug is ordered by the customers in Northern Ireland are intercepted by the National Crime Agency and the UK Border Agency at airports in England every week.
This prescribed drugs are not prescribed through community pharmacies. They are illicitly bought or sold and supplied through the internet and largely the individuals are appearing to be using a mixture of drugs.
Joe Brogan, the HSCB’s head of pharmacy and medicines management, said the number of deaths associated with pregabalin and other prescription drugs was a “scourge”.
He added: “In many cases of pregabalin misuse, it has not been prescribed – it has been sourced through family or friends or bought on the street or via the internet.
“Many such drugs that are bought from illicit sources do not actually contain medicines that they purport to be.
“Any medicine or any drug can be a poison – it all depends on three things: Where you get it from – was it prescribed and supplied from a regulated source?; how much you take – was it taken within accepted dosages?; what you take it with – mixing drugs together and with alcohol can create a toxic mix that is lethal.”
