2023-09-06 11:08:42
The consumption of pregabalin, an antiepileptic drug diverted from its therapeutic use by drug addicts, continues to increase in Belgium, as evidenced by the substantial seizure made at Brussels Airport in mid-July.
Customs and the Federal Health Products Agency (AFMPS) got their hands on 1.6 million non-compliant tablets on July 14. Among these was pregabalin.
Between July 17 and August 11, the Brussels North police zone seized more than 4,200 Rivotril and Lyrica pills, which are traded on the street from one euro per tablet. “The first observations of misuse in Belgium were made in 2016-2017 by associations working on the front line with an audience of newcomer migrants and refugees.“, located for the Belga agency Michaël Hogge, project manager at the socio-epidemiological alcohol-drug observatory Eurotox.
“The molecule seemed to be widely prescribed on the migratory routes to treat generalized anxiety disorders or post-traumatic stress states.” Afterwards, “the phenomenon seems to have spread to all the disadvantaged public, in particular in the Brussels Region“, continues the researcher.
The number of people receiving at least one reimbursed pregabalin prescription each year has increased from 24,485 in 2014 to 155,544 in 2021.
Stemming the phenomenon will inevitably involve “structural measures in terms of dispensing conditions (limit ‘medical shopping’ or prevent the prescription of too large packaging)“, better information for doctors, but also a “strengthening the offer of reception, assistance and support services for disadvantaged people“, recommends Michaël Hogge.
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