Anti-depressants: Cost, Risks and Ramifications Debate
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Lord Crisp
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Anti-depressants: Cost, Risks and Ramifications
Lord Crisp Excerpts(1 month ago)
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Baroness Merron (Lab)
I am not specifically aware, but I will be glad to look into this.
Lord Crisp (CB)
My Lords, I want to raise the issue of dependency on anti-depressants. As the Minister will know, a lot of people have great difficulty coming off these anti-depressants. It is striking that for those using drugs illegally or with substance abuse, there are many services, but there are no services in the NHS for those seeking to withdraw from anti-depressants. This is a major problem. With that in mind, I ask two questions. First, will the Government consider the delivery of a helpline, which has been called for in a number of reviews, so that people can have some access to help? Secondly, will they support an NHS project designed to introduce withdrawal services within the NHS?
Baroness Merron (Lab)
The noble Lord makes an important point about the effects of withdrawal from any medication. I am not sure that this is an exact answer but there is the 111 helpline, which has been expanded to refer to mental health services, so people can ring and ask those questions. However, I take his point about withdrawal. We may wish to consider this as we go towards the 10-year plan.