8 June 2016
Researchers:
Thompson, A. & Pirmohamed, M.
Wolfson Centre for Personalised Medicine, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, 1-5 Brownlow Street, Liverpool L69 3GL, United Kingdom
Key findings
- Drug utilisation for severe alcohol dependence is low.
- Of 43,087 patients, only 11.7% received pharmacotherapy to promote abstinence or reduce consumption in the first 12 months following diagnosis.
- 1% of patients did not receive psychosocial support or pharmacotherapy in the first 12 months following diagnosis.
- Males and those from the most deprived areas are least likely to receive pharmacotherapy.
- Persistence of prescribing appears poor for acamprosate and disulfiram, with less than 31% in both medication groups still receiving the medication after 6 months. This reduces to less than 17% after 12 months.
