<p>The Department does not collect data on levels of dependence on and treatment for dependence on prescribed drugs. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a range of evidence-based guidance that includes recommendations for the National Health Service on the use of benzodiazepines, z drugs and anti-depressants based on an assessment of their benefits and longer-term health impacts. The guidance ‘Medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms: safe prescribing and withdrawal management for adults’ which is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng215" target="_blank">www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng215</a></p><p>The Department has no current plans to assess the publication’s effectiveness of ‘Optimising personalised care for adults prescribed medicines associated with dependence or withdrawal symptoms: Framework for action for integrated care boards (ICBs) and primary care’.</p>