Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of long-term and permanent harm caused by the use of benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and antidepressants.

The safety of medicines on the United Kingdom market are continuously monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). There are currently no plans to conduct any further reviews into the harms associated with benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and antidepressants, however, any new data would be carefully considered. Details about the possible risks and side effects are outlined in the product information available for each medicine.

Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are authorised for short term use, two to four weeks, and should not be used long term due to the risk of dependence and subsequent withdrawal reactions. Healthcare professionals have been reminded of these risks by the MHRA, the Department and professional bodies which have highlighted the extensive warnings about the risks of dependence, the need to limit prescribing and advice about gradual withdrawal.