Nalmefene is a drug which was licensed in the UK in 2013 to treat alcohol dependence. It is thought to work on the brain to reduce the urge to drink. It is recommended for use in adults drinking at high risk levels who have been diagnosed with alcohol dependence. Research evidence on nalmefene has been mixed, with some studies showing that it can reduce drinking if used alongside psychosocial support, whilst critics have noted that it has not been tested against other similar drug treatments. Further, questions have been raised about the evidence on which the decision to approve nalmefene was made.
This study will analyse data from GP records to understand how nalmefene has been used –which types of patients get this medication, what type of drinking problems they have, how much of the medication they have received and for how long, and whether they have received any psychosocial support to help them take their medication and to reduce their drinking. This study will contribute to understanding how primary care have responded to a heavily marketed new drug treatment for alcohol dependence.
This study aims to understand how nalmefene has been used in UK primary care, and explore what factors might influence its prescribing. A simple descriptive analysis will be conducted using CPRD data on all patients prescribed nalmefene since it was licensed in the UK in May 2013. This includes a description of their key characteristics, drinking behaviour and diagnoses, and nalmefene prescribing details.
Descriptive analysis of a random sample of individuals with alcohol dependence who have not received nalmefene will also be conducted to explore key characteristics, drinking behaviour and any treatments received, including other drug therapies and psychological therapies. Some comparisons with the nalmefene patients may be made where possible although the two groups may not be directly comparable. This data will be restricted to individuals who have been diagnosed since May 2013, to coincide with the date that nalmefene was available to prescribe in the UK. A list of READ codes used to define alcohol dependence will be provided, drawing on the code list from a previously published study which used CPRD data
Clare Sharp - Chief Investigator - University of Stirling
Clare Sharp - Corresponding Applicant - University of Stirling
Andrew Elders - Collaborator - Glasgow Caledonian University
Linda Bauld - Collaborator - University of Stirling
Niamh Fitzgerald - Collaborator - University of Stirling
Roy Robertson - Collaborator - Muirhouse Medical Group
Patient Level Index of Multiple Deprivation;Practice Level Index of Multiple Deprivation