GP warns NHS continues to prescribe addictive sleeping pills despite safer options

For two decades the author has been instructed to advise patients against benzodiazepine sleep aids, yet NHS records indicate roughly 14,000 such prescriptions are still written each day. The GP says the problem stems from a lack of viable alternatives being offered, as insomnia affects about one in five adults and can worsen mental health and increase disease risk. While the NHS technically provides the Sleepio CBT-i app, long waiting times and inconsistent funding mean many regions cannot access it.

A newer drug, daridorexant, approved in 2023, offers a non-sedating mechanism without the dependence seen in older pills, but its use remains limited. The column also notes that melatonin can be prescribed for short courses to patients over 55, though it should not be used long-term. The doctor urges better patient education on sleep hygiene and broader implementation of these safer treatments.