The Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC), Safe Anaesthesia Liaison Group (SALG), the Faculty of Pain Medicine, and the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA) sent a letter in August 2023 signed by internationally respected experts in the field to Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA. In this letter, we requested that the MHRA strengthen warnings around the use of modified-release opioids following strong international evidence against their use in managing acute pain. We therefore welcome the development of the drug safety alert and the accompanying public assessment report, published in March 2025 on this topic.1
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Drug Safety Update: Prolonged-release opioids: Removal of indication for relief of post-operative pain. March, 2025 [Accessed 10 April, 2025]