APPG
INVOLUNTARY TRANQUILLISER ADDICTION
Meeting Wednesday 9 March 2011 Room M Portcullis House 5pm
MINUTES
Present: Sir Peter Bottomley, Michael Connarty, Nik Dakin, Jim Dobbin, Pat Dobbin, Kelvin Hopkins, Eric Ollerenshaw, Lady Masham
Apologies: Debbie Abrahams, Earl Sandwich
Update from Chairman
Jim Dobbin gave a background to the formation of the group and the history of tranquilliser addiction in the UK. He outlined the influence of the pharmaceutical companies and the failure of consecutive governments in their policy and practice on this issue. He spoke of the joint enquiry that had taken place with the Drugs Misuse APPG and the report that followed which did not address the problems of Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction. This led to the alternative report that was produced by this APPG to set the record straight. He described the frustration of the group at the inability of successive Ministers to tackle the problem and the undue influence of advisors and civil servants. He emphasised the size of the problem with 1.5 million people in the country addicted to benzodiazepines and the lack of support for addicts.
Matters Arising
In response to the update a range of issues was discussed and questions were asked regarding the situation in the devolved assemblies and parliaments of the UK, the pharmaceutical companies, the medical profession and the forthcoming long awaited report/review promised by the Government, the effects of the DWP changes to benefits for Involuntary Tranquilliser addicts and the changes to the NHS
Future Strategies/Campaigns
It was decided that;
Links should be identified with members who are interested in this problem in each of the devolved assemblies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
Concerns should be highlighted in the media and links made with journalists
A campaign to be launched for labelling on tranquillisers outlining dangers
Effects of Benzos on unborn babies should be widely published to inform clinicians and pregnant women
BMA to be lobbied to review the guidelines for clinicians on prescription of these drugs
Launch our own enquiry on Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction with experts called to give evidence
NHS Consortia should be approached by the group to identify policies on this issue
Conclusion:
It was decided that we should wait for the reviews/reports to be published and analysed before we begin.
Date of next meeting: TBA after Easter recess.