Use of 'chemical cosh' drugs to be restricted - The Guardian 20th June 2008

The use of so-called "chemical cosh" antipsychotic drugs to subdue people with dementia will be curbed as part of a government strategy to help the growing numbers of people with the condition. In an interview with the Guardian the social care minister, Ivan Lewis, made it clear he was unhappy with the number of dementia patients, usually in care homes, who are being heavily sedated, with risks to their health. "I'm really perturbed by this question of the inappropriate prescribing of drugs," he said. "We sometimes dehumanise stories like this - it is my or your mum and dad who is being over-medicated."

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Additional Stories

'Dangerous' dementia drugs to be reviewed - The Independent 20th June 2008

The care home 'chemical cosh drugs' which could be killing dementia patients - Daily Mail 20th June 2008