Opiates
(asked on 20th February 2018) - View Source
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many deaths in England over the past five years were caused by or linked to the use of over the counter opioids.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.
Letter from John Pullinger CB, National Statistician, to Lord Luce, dated 26 February 2018
As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am replying to your Parliamentary Questions asking (i) how many deaths in England over the past five years were caused by or linked to prescription opioids (HL5647); and (ii) how many deaths in England over the past five years were caused by or linked to the use of over the counter opioids (HL5648).
The Office for National Statistics produces an annual report on deaths relating to drug poisoning.1 Drug poisoning deaths involve a broad spectrum of substances, including legal and illegal drugs, prescription type drugs and over-the-counter medications. Tables 6a to 6d published alongside the bulletin show the different drugs involved in each death, for England and Wales.
Table 1 below provides the number of deaths registered in England in the five years 2012 to 2016 where the underlying cause of death was drug-related and involved opiates. It cannot be inferred from the available data whether the substances were prescribed to the deceased, prescribed to another person, or obtained by other means.
Table 1: Number of deaths where the underlying cause was drug-related and involved opiates, persons, England, 2012-16 (see notes 2,3,4) | |||||
| 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 |
Persons | 1167 | 1469 | 1688 | 1841 | 1867 |
Yours sincerely
John Pullinger
Box 1. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes used to define deaths related to drug poisoning |
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Description | ICD-10 Codes |
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Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug use (excluding alcohol and tobacco) | F11–F16, F18–F19 |
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Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances | X40–X44 |
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Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances | X60–X64 |
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Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances | X85 |
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Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances, undetermined intent | Y10–Y14 |
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2 Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Deaths were selected where the underlying cause was drug poisoning and the specified substance was mentioned on the death certificate. The ICD codes used to select deaths related to drug poisoning are shown in Box 1 above.
3 Figures are for deaths registered, rather than deaths occurring in each calendar year. Due to the length of time it takes to complete a coroner’s inquest, it can take months or even years for a drug-related death to be registered. More details can be found in the 'deaths related to drug poisoning' statistical bulletin: www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/previousReleases
4 Any Opiate' figures include unspecified opiates, but exclude paracetamol compounds.