The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) has launched a call for evidence on the misuse and harms of gabapentin and pregabalin in the United Kingdom.

Published on 22 August 2025, the call seeks evidence from individuals and organisations with knowledge or lived experience regarding the potential for harm caused by misuse of these gabapentinoids.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59pm on 13 October 2025.

Review Objectives

The ACMD will use this evidence to:

• Inform recommendations to government on limiting harms from potential gabapentinoid misuse
• Assess whether classifying gabapentin and pregabalin as Class C under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 has achieved its intended effect

The review aims to consider evidence regarding current use and harms of these compounds, particularly when used with other substances, and assess the impact of recent legislative changes.

Who Can Respond

The ACMD welcomes responses from:

• Healthcare professionals
• Researchers and academics
• Service providers
• Any individual or organisation with relevant knowledge or lived experience

Responses can be submitted personally or as a representative of an organisation.

How to Submit Evidence

Online: Complete the questionnaire online through the official portal

Email: Download the questionnaire and return to acmd@homeoffice.gov.uk

Deadline: 11:59pm on Monday, 13 October 2025

The ACMD encourages respondents to consider every question in the questionnaire, though expertise may be better suited to specific areas. Supporting evidence and references should be provided where possible.

Background

The ACMD considers various evidence types including published literature, statistics, data from UK organisations, and expert stakeholder opinions as part of its advice to government.

The organisation requests colleagues and stakeholders to circulate this call for evidence widely to ensure broad participation.

For questions about this gabapentin pregabalin call for evidence, contact the ACMD Secretariat at acmd@homeoffice.gov.uk.

Source: GOV.UK