Forensic toxicologists in Queensland are now routinely screening for pregabalin in post-mortems as evidence mounts that patients are misusing the neuropathic pain therapy.

The schedule 4 drug is under increasing scrutiny, including a TGA review, after two Australian studies published last year highlighted rising rates of overdose.

Now scientists at Health Support Queensland, which provides the state’s forensic services, say their own research has led them to develop a better method of testing for pregabalin and they plan to implement it routinely.

They reviewed cases where pregabalin screening was requested between January 2015 and December 2017, and found that the drug was present in 286 cases, representing 4.4% of all post-mortems over the three-year period.