Decision Report 201701927

  • Case ref:
    201701927
  • Date:
    April 2018
  • Body:
    Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS Board
  • Sector:
    Health
  • Outcome:
    Not upheld, no recommendations
  • Subject:
    clinical treatment / diagnosis

Summary

Mr C, a prisoner, complained to the board that his prescription of pregabalin (a medication used to treat anxiety and nerve pain) was not reinstated. This medication is commonly misused in the prison environment and his prescription was stopped after he was found giving his medication to another prisoner.

We took independent advice from a GP. We found that the decision not to reinstate Mr C's medication was reasonable. Due to his history of drug misuse, the adviser considered that a prescription for pregabalin would potentially increase the risk of overdose, particularly as he was already on other medications. We found that the board had also offered Mr C reasonable alternative medication to treat his anxiety and nerve pain. Therefore, we did not uphold this complaint.

Updated: December 2, 2018