Material to support appropriate prescribing of hypnotics and anxiolytics across Wales

This educational pack aims to support the appropriate prescribing of hypnotics and anxiolytics across Wales by providing key health professionals with a practical approach for the initiation and review of hypnotic and anxiolytic prescribing. It includes examples of support material which can be used or adapted for this purpose.

It is anticipated that adoption of the ‘best practice’ examples presented within this pack will help to reduce the long-term prescribing of these drugs.

The pack was originally developed in 2011 by the Welsh Medicines Partnership (WMP) and has been previously updated (2016) to reflect changes in NICE guidance, the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Road Traffic Act. This update includes further amendments, in particular reflecting how the categorisation of insomnia has changed.

Published in July 2021 - replaces version previously published in December 2016

Pull-out sections (MS Word) - patient information is provided in both English and Welsh

• Appendix 1. Patient information leaflets
• Appendix 2. Assessment tools
• Appendix 3. Information for patients
• Appendix 4. Guides for healthcare professionals
• Appendix 5. Hypnotic and anxiolytic reduction/withdrawal resources