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Originator: CMO Messaging

From: Public Health England

Issue date: 24-Jul-2020 08:29:10

This alert has been issued to:
  • NHS Regional Offices
  • NHS Foundation Trusts (England) - Medical Director
  • NHS Foundation Trusts (England) - Chief Executive
  • NHS Trusts (England) - Medical Director
  • NHS Trusts (England) - Chief Executive

  • MHRA (Medicines) Drug Alerts (Various Recipients)
  • Other contacts
  • Independent Healthcare Providers (registered with CAS)
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • CMO Urgent Messages - Non-NHS Recipients on Public Health Link
  • MHRA (Medicines) Drug Alerts - Non-NHS Recipients
  • Territorial CMOs in Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales
  • Regional Directors of Public Health
  • Consultants in Communicable Diseases
  • CMO Urgent Messages - Recipients on Public Health Link
  • Director of Public Health
  • GP - Locum
  • NHS 111 and Out of hours providers
  • GP Practices
  • Primary Care Networks

Action category: Important information for immediate action

Title: Evidence of harm from illicit or fake benzodiazepines

Broadcast content: The attached alert advises of the availability of, and harm from, illicit drugs sold as benzodiazepines particularly when used in conjunction with alcohol and drugs with a respiratory depressant effect including gabapentinoids and opioids.

Additional information: NHS England and NHS Improvement Regional Offices: please cascade this alert to Community Pharmacy.
Directors of Public Health please cascade to:
- Commissioners and providers of drug treatment and prevention services
- Other relevant services that have, or may have, contact with drug users including: sexual health services; youth services; hostels; relevant information networks and service users groups


Alert reference: CEM/CMO/2020/030

Attachments:

Contact our helpdesk

Email: safetyalerts@mhra.gov.uk

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency