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<p><strong><strong></strong></strong>The information requested falls within the responsibility
of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.</p><p><em><strong>Letter
from John Pullinger CB, National Statistician, to Lord Luce, dated 26 February 2018</strong></em></p><p>As
National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am replying
to your Parliamentary Questions asking (i) how many deaths in England over the past
five years were caused by or linked to prescription opioids (HL5647); and (ii) how
many deaths in England over the past five years were caused by or linked to the use
of over the counter opioids (HL5648).</p><p>The Office for National Statistics produces
an annual report on deaths relating to drug poisoning.1 Drug poisoning deaths involve
a broad spectrum of substances, including legal and illegal drugs, prescription type
drugs and over-the-counter medications. Tables 6a to 6d published alongside the bulletin
show the different drugs involved in each death, for England and Wales.</p><p> </p><p>
</p><p>Table 1 below provides the number of deaths registered in England in the five
years 2012 to 2016 where the underlying cause of death was drug-related and involved
opiates. It cannot be inferred from the available data whether the substances were
prescribed to the deceased, prescribed to another person, or obtained by other means.</p><table><tbody><tr><td
colspan="6"><p>Table 1: Number of deaths where the underlying cause was drug-related
and involved opiates, persons, England, 2012-16 (see notes 2,3,4)</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>
</p></td><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>2016</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Persons</p></td><td><p>1167</p></td><td><p>1469</p></td><td><p>1688</p></td><td><p>1841</p></td><td><p>1867</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>
</p><p>Yours sincerely</p><p>John Pullinger</p><p> </p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td
colspan="8"><p>Box 1. International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10)
codes used to define deaths related to drug poisoning</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td
colspan="7"><p>Description</p></td><td><p>ICD-10 Codes</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td
colspan="7"><p>Mental and behavioural disorders due to drug use (excluding alcohol
and tobacco)</p></td><td><p>F11–F16, F18–F19</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td
colspan="7"><p>Accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological substances</p></td><td><p>X40–X44</p></td><td><p>
</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="7"><p>Intentional self-poisoning by drugs, medicaments
and biological substances</p></td><td><p>X60–X64</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td
colspan="7"><p>Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances</p></td><td><p>X85</p></td><td><p>
</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="7"><p>Poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biological
substances, undetermined intent</p></td><td><p>Y10–Y14</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>1
<a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/2016registrations"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/2016registrations</a></p><p>2
Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth
Revision (ICD-10). Deaths were selected where the underlying cause was drug poisoning
and the specified substance was mentioned on the death certificate. The ICD codes
used to select deaths related to drug poisoning are shown in Box 1 above.</p><p>3
Figures are for deaths registered, rather than deaths occurring in each calendar year.
Due to the length of time it takes to complete a coroner’s inquest, it can take months
or even years for a drug-related death to be registered. More details can be found
in the 'deaths related to drug poisoning' statistical bulletin: <a href="http://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/previousReleases"
target="_blank">www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtodrugpoisoninginenglandandwales/previousReleases</a></p><p>4
Any Opiate' figures include unspecified opiates, but exclude paracetamol compounds.</p>
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