Benzodiazepine dependence concerns in Europe

In early July, Lithuanian pharmacists issued a warning that the growing use of benzodiazepine sleep aids could lead to addiction, highlighting the need for caution among prescribers and patients.

Later in the month, French health authorities released a detailed assessment of benzodiazepine dependence among older adults. They reported unusually high prescription rates for people aged 65 and over, with about 13 % receiving at least one potentially inappropriate prescription annually and half of nursing‑home residents on these drugs. The French report linked long‑acting benzodiazepines and prolonged use to increased risks of falls, fractures, and hospitalisation, and advised limiting treatment to three months and avoiding long‑acting agents in the elderly. Both snapshots illustrate a widening European focus on the risks of benzodiazepine misuse and the push for tighter prescribing controls.