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Prescribing & Overmedication
Prescribing & Overmedication
RTÉ Investigates - “Significant increase in Benzo related deaths reported” (2019)
RTÉ Investigates examined benzodiazepine use in Ireland, including the role of drugs such as diazepam in poisoning deaths. The programme reported that diazepam was implicated in 96 of 354 drug-poisoning deaths in the figures available at the time, while also examining prescribing patterns, dependence and the wider availability and use of benzodiazepines in Ireland. The investigation formed part of RTÉ’s broader Prescription Nation series examining prescription-drug use and its consequences.
RTÉ Investigates - “Revealed: Massive rise in antidepressant prescribing” (2019)
RTÉ Investigates analysed prescribing data from Ireland's publicly funded drug schemes and found an 18% per-capita increase in the number of patients receiving antidepressants between 2012 and 2017. It also found that the amount of antidepressant medication prescribed increased by 28% per capita over the same period. The investigation explored possible reasons for the increase, including rising levels of anxiety and depression, limited access to psychological therapies and the growing reliance on medication within the health system.
Regulatory & Medical Council Cases
Regulatory & Medical Council Cases
The High Court suspended Bray GP Dr Regine Grah and prohibited her from practising while a Medical Council fitness-to-practise process is ongoing. The action followed concerns raised by three pharmacies about her prescribing of large quantities of controlled drugs, particularly benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. The court heard allegations that some patients were receiving repeated prescriptions without a clear treatment or withdrawal plan, including one case in which a patient was prescribed 224 diazepam tablets and 224 Xanax tablets over a three-month period.
A Medical Council fitness-to-practise inquiry heard allegations concerning the prescribing of benzodiazepines, pregabalin and Z-drugs to patients. The case raised questions about the appropriateness of prescribing multiple medicines with dependence potential and the clinical circumstances in which these drugs were being used. As this was an inquiry concerning allegations, the reported claims should be distinguished from findings ultimately established by the relevant disciplinary process.
A follow-up report detailed the outcome of a Medical Council case involving a doctor who had been found to have inappropriately prescribed medication to patients. The case resulted in a formal censure and provides a recent Irish example of professional regulatory action relating to prescribing practices. The article is particularly relevant to questions around appropriate prescribing, monitoring and the use of medicines with dependence or misuse potential.
RTÉ - “Calls for greater caution prescribing benzos and other drugs” (2025)
RTÉ reported on a multi-agency working group led by the Medical Council which examined the overprescribing of benzodiazepines, Z-drugs and gabapentinoids in Ireland. The group recommended greater caution and stricter monitoring, while highlighting concerns about patient safety and public health. RTÉ reported that benzodiazepines were the fourth most common drug involved in presentations to addiction services in 2023, with 1,477 cases, and that benzodiazepines had been implicated in an increasing number of drug-related deaths.
RTÉ - “Greater caution around use of sleeping pills recommended” (2025)
This report examined recommendations for reducing the overprescribing of benzodiazepines and other sedative medicines in Ireland. The Medical Council-led working group recommended greater caution and strict monitoring when these drugs are prescribed. RTÉ reported that benzodiazepines were the fourth most common drug causing presentations to addiction services in 2023 and that deaths in which pregabalin was implicated had risen substantially over the preceding years.
Mental Health Services & Safeguarding
Mental Health Services & Safeguarding
RTÉ - “Vulnerable children let down by North Kerry CAMHS” (2026)
RTÉ reported on an independent review of North Kerry CAMHS which identified serious concerns about the care provided to vulnerable children and young people. Among the issues identified were high levels of antipsychotic prescribing, inadequate physical-health monitoring and insufficient access to psychological interventions. RTÉ reported that almost all children with autism within the service had been prescribed antipsychotic medication, raising significant questions about prescribing practices and clinical oversight.
RTÉ - “North Kerry CAMHS review found potential risk of harm in 209 cases” (2026)
A separate RTÉ report examined the findings of the independent review of North Kerry CAMHS, which identified potential risk of harm in 209 of the 374 cases examined. Concerns included antipsychotic prescribing, inadequate monitoring of children's physical health and limited access to psychological interventions. The findings prompted wider questions about safeguarding, clinical governance and whether vulnerable young people were receiving appropriate, multidisciplinary care.
Irish Times - “Elderly care home patients given ‘chemical cosh’ drugs” (2015)
An Irish Times investigation examined the use of psychotropic medication among elderly residents in Irish nursing homes. It reported that some facilities were using antipsychotic and other psychotropic medicines to manage residents' behaviour and found significant variation in prescribing practices. The investigation also highlighted evidence linking antipsychotic use in older people with serious risks, including increased mortality and stroke, and raised wider questions about whether vulnerable residents were sometimes being medicated primarily for behavioural management.
Irish Times - “Old and overmedicated: the drug problem in our nursing homes” (2015)
This companion investigation examined the use of medication among nursing-home residents and included personal accounts from families alongside evidence about prescribing practices. It explored concerns that some elderly and vulnerable people were receiving multiple psychotropic medicines, sometimes for behavioural reasons, and questioned whether sufficient safeguards were in place around their use. The investigation brought the issue of psychotropic overmedication in Irish residential care into wider public discussion.
This editorial responded to the Irish Times investigation into psychotropic medication in nursing homes. It argued that vulnerable elderly people and people with disabilities require stronger safeguards against inappropriate or excessive medication. The editorial placed particular emphasis on the need for greater scrutiny of how medicines are used to manage behaviour and the importance of protecting people who may have limited ability to advocate for themselves.
This report covered a Medical Council inquiry into allegations concerning the prescribing of benzodiazepines and other medicines to patients with addiction histories. Evidence presented to the inquiry described some prescribing as “reckless” and exceptionally high. The case highlights the particular risks and professional considerations involved when prescribing medicines with dependence potential to people who may already be vulnerable to substance-related harms.
Medication Harm & Adverse Reactions
Medication Harm & Adverse Reactions
Irish Times - “Woman died after reaction to drug” (1997)
An inquest into the death of 44-year-old Catherine Soye, who had a long history of mental illness and had been receiving treatment at St Loman’s Hospital, heard that she died following a reaction to the antipsychotic drug thioridazine. She had received only two doses, and the court heard that the level of the drug in her blood was within the therapeutic range. The inquest jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure.
Irish Times - “Deceased had toxic medication levels” (2010)
An inquest into the death of 60-year-old Kevin Martin heard that he had been found unresponsive while a patient in a psychiatric hospital. A postmortem examination found toxic levels of both clozapine, an antipsychotic, and citalopram, an antidepressant, in his system. The inquest also heard that Mr Martin had a history of schizophrenia and severe heart disease.
An inquest into the death of a psychiatric inpatient at Cork University Hospital heard that he had not received his prescribed antidepressant for two days because of difficulties sourcing the medication through the pharmacy. The patient subsequently died by suicide. The case raised questions about medication continuity and the potential consequences when a psychiatric patient does not receive an established medication as prescribed.
Irish Times - “Woman died due to medication years after hit-and-run, inquest told” (2015)
An inquest heard that a woman who had survived a serious hit-and-run incident years earlier subsequently died from the combined effects of prescribed medications, including opiates, benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Toxicology showed the drugs at levels ranging from therapeutic to toxic, and the coroner recorded a verdict of death by misadventure. The case highlights the potential risks associated with combinations of centrally acting medications.
Medication Errors & Patient Safety
Medication Errors & Patient Safety
Irish Times — “Psychiatric patient given wrong medication due to misspelling” (2018)
A psychiatric patient in Cork was given the wrong medication after an error involving the spelling of their name on a prescription record. The incident was subsequently classified by the Mental Health Commission as a serious medication error. The case illustrates how relatively simple administrative mistakes can result in patients receiving medication that was not intended for them.
The family of John Mee, a nursing-home resident in Co Clare, reached a settlement following an incident in which he was accidentally administered another resident’s medication. The medication included two antipsychotics, an antidepressant and other drugs. An earlier inquest had returned a verdict of medical misadventure and heard evidence that the medication error was a catalyst in the events leading to his death.
Irish Times - “Clare nursing home criticised over missing drugs” (2015)
The Irish Times reported on HIQA findings concerning medication management at a nursing home in Co Clare. Inspectors identified problems including discrepancies between medication records and prescriptions and issues involving unaccounted-for drugs, including psychotropic medicines and sedatives. The inspection highlighted the importance of accurate prescribing, recording, storage and administration of medicines in residential care.
Irish Times - “Nursing home residents were being wakened by 6am – HIQA” (2016)
This report examined HIQA concerns at an Irish nursing home, including issues surrounding residents' routines and medication management. Inspectors found problems involving psychotropic and sedative medication, including an instance where a resident received a dose that was 50% higher than prescribed. The findings illustrate the potential consequences of inadequate medication-management systems in residential care.
Irish Times - “Reporting a medical error? ‘I would be lambasted and mocked’” (2018)
This article examined the difficulties healthcare professionals can face when reporting medical errors in Ireland. It discussed the culture surrounding error reporting and included examples involving medication mistakes and other patient-safety incidents. The article is relevant to the wider question of how healthcare systems identify, report and learn from mistakes involving medicines.
RTÉ - “Over 109,000 adverse incidents reported in HSE last year” (2025)
RTÉ reported on more than 109,000 adverse incidents recorded across the HSE during the year, including incidents involving medication errors. The figures also included 469 reported deaths associated with adverse incidents. Although the article is not specifically about psychiatric medication, it provides wider context around patient safety, medication management and the consequences that can arise when errors occur within healthcare settings.
Drug Safety, Pregnancy & Long-Term Risks
Drug Safety, Pregnancy & Long-Term Risks
Irish Times - “Epilim in pregnancy: ‘Every woman should be told the risks’” (2017)
This article examines the experiences of families affected by exposure to sodium valproate (Epilim) during pregnancy. Karen Keely describes the consequences for her children and argues that women need to be clearly informed about the risks before taking the medication during pregnancy. The article forms part of the wider Irish discussion surrounding valproate exposure, informed consent and the responsibilities of healthcare professionals when prescribing medicines to women who may become pregnant.
Irish Times — “Boy (12) settles case over epilepsy drug taken by mother during pregnancy” (2023)
A 12-year-old boy reached a settlement in a High Court action concerning his exposure to sodium valproate (Epilim) during pregnancy. The case alleged that his mother had not been adequately informed about the potential risks associated with taking the medication while pregnant. The settlement included an interim payment of €3.75 million. The case is part of the wider legal and public-health controversy surrounding valproate and fetal exposure.
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