Quality prescribing for chronic pain 2026-2029: consultation
We are consulting on this draft updated chronic pain prescribing guidance. This guide aims to aim to support healthcare professionals and individuals navigating the complexities of chronic pain management.
Closed
This consultation closed 31 October 2025.
View this consultation on consult.gov.scot, including responses once published.
15. Appendix B: National Therapeutic Indicators in chronic pain
Table 17: List of current chronic pain National Therapeutic Indicators
Indicator Name
Analgesics (gabapentinoid DDDs)
Description
Pregabalin and gabapentin DDDs per 1000 list size per day
Output
Number
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Analgesics (gabapentinoid DDDs) (weighted)
Description
Pregabalin and gabapentin DDDs per 1000 list size per day(weighted)
Output
Number
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Analgesics (opioid DDDs)
Description
Strong opioids (including tramadol preparations) DDDs per 1000 list size per day
Output
Number
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Analgesics (opioid DDDs) opioids excluding tramadol
Description
Strong opioids (excluding tramadol preparations) DDDs per 1000 list size per day
Output
Number
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Analgesics (opioid DDDs) tramadol only
Description
Tramadol preparations DDDs per 1000 list size per day
Output
Number
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Analgesics (opioid DDDs) weighted
Description
Strong opioids (including tramadol preparations) DDDs per 1000 list size per day (weighted)
Output
Number
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Analgesics (opioid DDDs) opioids excluding tramadol (weighted)
Description
Strong opioids (excluding tramadol preparations) DDDs per 1000 list size per day (weighted)
Output
Number
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Analgesics (opioid DDDs) tramadol only (weighted)
Description
Tramadol preparations DDDs per 1000 list size per day (weighted)
Output
Number
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Topical Anaesthetic (lidocaine plaster costs)
Description
Lidocaine plaster cost per 1,000 list size
Output
Cost (£)
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Topical Anaesthetic (lidocaine plaster costs) weighted
Description
Lidocaine plaster cost per 1,000 list size (weighted)
Output
Cost (£)
Comments
Retain
Indicator Name
Gabapentinoid dependency (high dose gabapentinoids %)
Description
Number of people prescribed a gabapentinoid at an average daily dose equivalent to >3900mg (Pregablin >650mg) gabapentin over the previous 6 months as a percentage of all people prescribed a gabapentinoid
Output
Percentage
Comments
1000 Per 1000 and weighted pt
Indicator Name
Opioid and gabapentinoid dependency (high dose opioids %) 120mg
Description
Number of people prescribed an opioid at an average daily dose of opioid equivalent to >= 120mg per day of morphine over the previous 6 months as a percentage of all people prescribed step 2 and strong opioids
Output
Percentage
Comments
Retire
Indicator Name
Opioid and gabapentinoid dependency (high dose opioids %) 50mg
Description
Number of people prescribed an opioid at an average daily dose of opioid equivalent to >= 50mg per day of morphine over the previous 6 months
Output
Percentage
Comments
per 1000 weighted pt
Indicator Name
Opioid and gabapentinoid dependency (long term opioids %)
Description
Number of people prescribed strong opioids (including tramadol preparations) long term (>1 years)
Output
Percentage
Comments
per 1000 weighted pt
Indicator Name
Opioid and gabapentinoid dependency (high dose opioids %) 90mg
Description
Number of people prescribed an opioid at an average daily dose of opioid equivalent to >= 90mg per day of morphine over the previous 6 months
Output
Percentage
Comments
per 1000 weighted pt
Table 18: List of proposed chronic pain National Therapeutic Indicators
Indicator Name
Opioid, a benzodiazepine/ Z-drug or a Gabapentinoid combination
Description
Number of people prescribed 2 out of 3 of an opioid, a benzodiazepine/ Z-drug or a Gabapentinoid in previous 3 months per 1000 (weighted patients)
Output
Per 1000 list size
Comments
New
Current STU search for information -IND_MH17
All people registered with the practice prescribed a benzodiazepine/Z-drug plus an opioid on active repeat or issued on repeat or acute in the past 84 days
Indicator Name
Opioid and gabapentinoid dependency (long term gabapentinoid %)
Description
Number of patients prescribed gabapentinoids for >6months per 1000 (weighted) patients
Output
People per 1’000 list size
Comments
New
Indicator Name
Lidocaine indicator
Description
Add additional number of people prescribed indicator
Output
People per 1’000 list size
Comments
New
Indicator Name
Strong opioids
Description
Number of people prescribed strong opioids (including tramadol preparations) long term (>3 months)
Output
People per 1’000 list size
Comments
New
Indicator Name
Weak opioid indicator.
Description
Number of people prescribed weak opioids long term (>1 year) (per 1’000 list size)
Output
People per 1’000 list size
Comments
New
Indicator Name
Teratogenic risk
Description
Women 0 – 54 yrs on a Gabapentinoid medication
No weighted option available for this search
Output
People per 1’000 list size
Comments
New
Contact
Email: EPandT@gov.scot