RTÉ Investigates has found dramatic geographical variations in benzodiazepine prescribing rates
There are dramatic geographical variations in benzodiazepine prescribing rates on the publicly funded drug schemes, with some areas recording more than three times the rate of others, an analysis by RTÉ Investigates has found.
"A commonly used one would be Valium. While they are really beneficial to treat this wide range of conditions under strict medical supervision for a short term, they have actually got a lot of known side effects." "I did an audit in my own practice, where we put in education, leaflets, encouragement... We really had very little success in reducing long-term benzodiazepines for patients. Patients themselves get very agitated with the reduction - or even threatened reduction - in benzodiazepines."
According to Dr. Harry Barry, a retired GP and an expert in depression,"Common sense would tell you that urban life is much more stressful than in say, rural parts. I also think you may find areas of under privilege in more urban areas." While this may appear to be a significant increase, because opiates are prescribed in much lower quantities than the likes of antidepressants or benzodiazepines, they may be more susceptible to fluctuations in prescribing rates.
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