Department of Health (DH) researchers are using pharmacy data as part of an investigation into prescription drug addiction

Department of Health (DH) researchers are using pharmacy data as part of an investigation into prescription drug addiction, health minister Anne Milton has announced.

The DH has commissioned research into the prevalence of addiction to prescription drugs and the services available for its treatment, and will publish the findings “in the next couple of months”, Ms Milton said.

The report would include information from interviews with PCTs, local drug partnerships and specialist providers, and would be compiled by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse, she said.

The DH would use this to help determine the future direction of policy and service planning, she added.

The National Addiction Centre will also be producing a report on the drugs’ health effects, as well as treatment and management interventions for addiction to them.

The DH will open a wider consultation once the reports are published.

Ms Milton told parliament: “Following publication, we will be engaging widely with interested parties to determine the future direction of policy and service planning.”