Investigation: Should liquid morphine be reclassified? (2 September 2021)

Summary

In this article in the Pharmaceutical Journal, Carolyn Wickware asks if liquid morphine should be reclassified. She cites research that Oramorph or oral morphine sulphate solution was directly linked to the cause of death in 13 reports since 2013.

Content

"Several concerns have been raised about the risk of overdose and death from oral morphine sulphate solution over the past few years, but they have gone unheard."

In light of coroners reports of deaths related to abuse, or accidental overuse of Oramorph or oral morphine sulphate solution. the author argues for increased regulation. Commenting: "In the absence of any action from ministers, it seems that healthcare professionals are going to have to take the care of vulnerable patients into their own hands."

My reflections on this are:

Is this a signal for increased regulation or improved prescribing practice, improved medicine management, and more education & acces to trusted information for patients?

Would there be downsides to increased regulation?