Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent discussions he has had with the NICE on the (a) use of and (b) benefits of opioids.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends opioids for routine use where evidence supports this, such as in its guideline on palliative care for adults: strong opioids for pain relief [CG140].

NICE is currently developing a guideline on the safe prescribing and withdrawal management of prescribed drugs associated with dependence and withdrawal [GID-NG10141], which will consider opioids, and on chronic pain: assessment and management [GID-NG10069]. It also published guidance in April 2020 [NG163] recommending that the use of an opioid and benzodiazepine combination could be considered for some patients with COVID-19 to manage their symptoms.