Start of survey about the use of benzodiazepines and related substances for sleep disorders in Belgium

date: 19/02/2020

As announced, the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAMHP) is holding an online survey to collect information about the use of benzodiazepines and related substances for sleep disorders in the Belgian population. The survey starts today and will run for one month.

The results of this survey will make it possible to evaluate the use of these medicines and to map out patient opinions about their treatment. The results will then help the FAMHP to take more targeted measures to promote the rational use of these medicines.

Take part in the survey in Dutch or French.

To encourage the affected patients to participate in this survey, the FAMHP asked retail pharmacists to place a sticker on the packaging of benzodiazepines or related substances that they dispense. The sticker has the address of the FAMHP website, where there will be a link to the survey. This link will be accessible during the full term of the survey (19 February through 19 March). Pharmacists will receive a letter on 21 February with explanation via the Short Messages of APB, together with two sets of stickers.

The FAMHP also asks other health care professionals to refer the affected patients to the survey.

The survey is intended for patients:

  • who recently used a benzodiazepine or related substance for the treatment of sleep disorders,
  • who are 18 years of age or older,
  • who live in Belgium,
  • who are not being treated in a hospital, rest home or nursing home.

The survey is anonymous and will last 5 to 10 minutes for the patient. Patients who have trouble filling in the survey can ask for help from a family member or their pharmacist.

The FAMHP thanks patients and health care providers in advance for their cooperation.

Do you have questions about the survey? Contact ADR@fagg.be with the subject “sleep aid survey”.

Last updated on 24/02/2020