Richest and poorest heaviest users of prescription drugs

THE richest and the poorest are the heaviest users of sedatives, tranquillisers and anti-depressants, according to a national survey.

Separated, divorced and widowed people consume the largest volumes of prescription drugs, while cohabiting and single people take the least amount.

The Government’s leading drug advisor, Dr Des Corrigan, said the high consumption rates reflected the “levels of stress” groups were experiencing, albeit for different reasons.