Z-Drugs Policy

Z-drugs such as zaleplon, zolpidem and zopiclone are a group of drugs classed as nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics. They are used to treat severe insomnia that is interfering with normal daily life. They can be addictive and UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) has to ensure that they are being used in a safe and appropriate manner. As a result, UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) follows the guidelines listed below:

1. Z-drugs will be supplied to customers only if they can prove that they have exhausted non-medicine treatments.

2. Only one type of z-drug will be supplied to a customer at any one time.

3. Z-drugs are prescribed for severe insomnia that is interfering with normal daily life. In order for a prescription to be issued by a doctor, you will need to provide detailed information on your condition.

4. If you have not responded to z-drugs in the past, you will not be issued with a prescription for the doctor.

5. Treatment should be stopped if you suffer side effects that directly relate to the medicine (as listed in the accompanying z-drug patient information leaflet).

6. If you have previously suffered side effects from a prescribed z-drug, you will only be prescribed another hypnotic, if you can attribute these side effects to a specific agent within the previously prescribed medication.

7. There is a maximum number of tablets/caplets/capsules that will be dispensed to a customer in any one order. UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) follows the dosage guidelines recommended in the British National Formulary (BNF). These guidelines are listed next to each type of z-drug. You can refer to them when adding an item to your basket.

8. Z-drugs are to be used for brief periods of time and in accordance to the licence of each drug. As per point 2 above, to ensure that BNF dosage guidelines are followed, if an order is placed in close succession with an earlier order, then it will be held with payment and only released at the correct time.

9. If we become aware that a customer has ordered from UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) and from other suppliers at the same time, we will reduce or cancel the order so that the total amount of medication supplied to any one person does not exceed the maximum BNF dosage guidelines.

10. Customers are expected to use their own card to pay for a z-drug and will be required to provide proof of their date of birth before a second order is dispatched.

11. UK Meds Direct Ltd (www.ukmeds.co.uk) is particularly careful in prescribing for younger people i.e. under 25, since it is very uncommon for individuals within this age group to have a condition which will require z-drugs.

12. For patients 21 and under permission will be requested from their GP before we can supply z-drugs to them.

13. In exceptional circumstances customers may use someone else’s card to pay for a z-drug but they will be required to provide proof of their date of birth and home address before the current order can be dispatched.

14. The billing address for the card should be the same as the delivery address. In occasional cases, a work or holiday address may be used, however, proof may be required.

15. If several people request z-drugs from the same address or within close proximity of a particular address, then these orders are likely to be refused, and customer accounts closed.

As a responsible provider of prescription medication, UK Meds (www.ukmeds.co.uk) has to take all necessary measures to ensure that people ordering z-drugs are using them in an appropriate manner. Z-drugs are dangerous drugs if they are used incorrectly or recreationally and this policy is in place to prevent the medicines we provide from being misused in any way.