A new study has found that anxiety drug Alprazolam is still being overprescribed and misused by Australians.
The federal government introduced a policy in 2017 to curb inappropriate use and prescription, but it has not had the desired effect, according to researchers at the University of New South Wales.
Prescription approvals have increased by 18 per cent in the last two years and people are still receiving large doses which are not consistent with best practice guidelines.
Biostatistician Dr Andrea Schaffer said, “Further changes are needed to better address misuse and reduce the risk of long-term dependence”.