Drugs

Just a few of the many drugs dished out, taken, refused, and thrown away today. One of these is diazepam:

Diazepam was the second benzodiazepine invented by Dr. Leo Sternbach of Hoffmann-La Roche at the company's Nutley, New Jersey, facility following chlordiazepoxide (Librium - the first benzodiazepine created), which was approved for use in 1960. Released in 1963 as an improved version of Librium, diazepam became incredibly popular, helping Roche (still a huge pharmaceutical company) to become a pharmaceutical industry giant. Diazepam is 2.5 times more potent than its predecessor, which it quickly surpassed in terms of sales.

Drugs are still determined in many respects by money: in research funds and time given, and NHS funds - some drugs are not available in Scotland that are in England for example and this may also occur on a more local level between trusts also.

The nature of patients I am caring for in mental health means many medications are refused through lack of understanding, lack of insight into how ill they are or perhaps a suspicion of what you are giving them! Many patients have to have their medication in order to keep them and themselves safe, others have it offered and it is within their right to refuse it. All of it plays on the mind!