Online availability of gabapentin and pregabalin and the impact of legal reclassification in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background

Concerns about the misuse of gabapentin and pregabalin and an increase in related deaths led to these drugs being classified as controlled substances in the United Kingdom (UK) in April 2019. This study investigates the online availability of gabapentin and pregabalin, from the perspective of a UK-based consumer, and whether the change in legislation was associated with any change in availability.

Methods

An internet snapshot survey for the availability and prescription requirements of gabapentin and pregabalin was undertaken, using established European methodology, two months before (February 2019) and two months after (June 2019) the legislation change.

Results

A total of 70 websites selling gabapentin and/or pregabalin to UK-based customers were identified in February 2019 compared to 56 websites in June 2019. No significant difference was observed for the proportion of websites requiring a prescription before and after legislation change for either gabapentin (p = 0.574) or pregabalin (p = 0.223). Despite legislation change, 22 (47.8%) gabapentin websites and five (33.3%) pregabalin websites specifically stated no prescription was required to purchase the drugs in June 2019.

Conclusions

The change in legislation was associated with a decrease in online availability with fewer websites offering drugs for sale. However, these drugs remain widely available to purchase via some online pharmacies without a prescription which has significant public health implications.

Keywords:

• Gabapentin
• pregabalin
• prescription drugs
• online pharmacy
• internet

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).