The drug manufactured by Pfizer, which is also prescribed for epilepsy and nerve pain, has been linked to deformities in babies and thousands of deaths when misused. Recent analysis has shown that this medication, prescribed to approximately eight million Brits, has the fastest rising death toll of any drug in the UK. According to data from the Office of National Statistics, there has been a significant increase in pregabalin-related deaths, with the number rising from nine in 2012 to 779 by 2022.
In a span of five years, almost 3,400 deaths have been linked to pregabalin. This trend was highlighted in an investigation by The Epoch Times, which revealed that the prescription pill has been increasingly listed as a cause or contributing factor in deaths across the UK. Pregabalin is now the fourth most common substance found in drug-related deaths, following only opiates, cocaine, and benzodiazepines.
Introduced to the market by Pfizer in 2004, pregabalin was initially hailed as a “wonder drug” for anxiety treatment due to its supposed lower addictive potential compared to opioids. However, evidence suggests that the claims made by the pharmaceutical company may have been misleading. After obtaining a second patent, Pfizer forced GPs to switch patients from generic pregabalin to Pfizer-branded Lyrica between October 2015 and 2018, resulting in significant costs to the NHS.
The Supreme Court of the UK ruled in November 2018 that Pfizer’s second patent on pregabalin was invalid due to a lack of evidence for the conditions it covered. The substance was reclassified as a Class C controlled drug in 2019 due to increased demand for it as a recreational drug. The MHRA issued a warning regarding the potential risks associated with pregabalin use, including drowsiness, sedation, and respiratory depression, especially when combined with opioids and alcohol.
Pregabalin’s popularity among addicts has grown, with reports of it being used as a substitute for heroin during periods of restricted opioid supply. Sold on the streets for as little as a pound per pill, the drug has become known as the “prescription drug of choice” for users. Concerns about the use of addictive prescription drugs have increased since the opioid epidemic in the US, where millions of individuals became addicted to these medications.
The MHRA has cautioned pregnant women against taking pregabalin due to an increased risk of birth defects, with common deformities affecting the nervous system, eyes, face, urinary system, and genitals. Despite conflicting evidence, the MHRA advises against using the medication during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary and if the benefits outweigh the risks to the fetus. Additionally, a group of MPs has raised concerns about the MHRA’s practices, accusing the regulator of negligence leading to unnecessary deaths over several decades.