A BMJ Open study has found that less than half the prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs issued in primary care in the United Kingdom are for the serious mental illnesses for which they are mainly licensed.
If you are elderly or a woman you are more likely to be prescribed such medications, particularly Haloperidol.
This study is of interest as I have submitted FOI requests to NHS Scottish Board areas on the prescribing of Haloperidol. I now have replies from all Boards except one. The Scottish Government has demonstrated that, year-on-year, the prescribing of antipsychotics is increasing. My understanding is that such prescribing of antipsychotics largely commences in hospital care.
The FOI data on Haloperidol prescribing can be found here.
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