NHS figures have shown that the prescriptions for the drug diazepam (also known as Valium) has increased by more than 11% in three years and is now being dispensed almost five million times a year in England. As an addictive drug, the Royal College of General Practitioners has said that GPs should refrain from prescribing Valium and instead, should be referring those suffering from anxiety to counselling. Valium is usually prescribed to patients for stress and anxiety but GPs are encouraged to only allow for short-term use.

A professor of the RCGP said he was “shocked” by the figures and another from the Royal College of Psychiatrists is worried that Valium is being prescribed in a way that it shouldn’t be.