Disulfiram is indicated as an adjuvant in the treatment of alcohol dependence
Accord Healthcare UK Ltd has announced that Disulfiram, an alcohol deterrent compound, will be made available to all UK pharmacists and dispensing doctors for prescription to suitable patients.
Following its launch to wholesalers in December 2024, the medication will now be accessible for the treatment of alcohol dependence under appropriate medical supervision.
Disulfiram is indicated as an adjuvant in the treatment of carefully selected and co-operative patients with drinking problems.
The medication works by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde—a substance produced when alcohol is metabolised in the body.
This results in a buildup of acetaldehyde in the blood, triggering unpleasant reactions such as headaches, heart palpitations, and nausea. The experience of such reactions acts as a deterrent to further alcohol intake.
Commenting on the launch, Clara Carter, Accord UK country manager for generics, said:
"At Accord, we continually strive to ‘make it better’ by placing the patient at the centre, this new product launch underpins our commitment to the supply of generic medicines in the UK.”
The company cautioned that Disulfiram treatment is recommended only for adults and elderly patients and should be initiated in a hospital or specialised clinic by physicians experienced in its use.
Patients must abstain from alcohol during treatment and for up to 14 days after discontinuation to avoid severe adverse effects caused by the accumulation of acetaldehyde in the body.
Before starting treatment, thorough medical examinations are advised to assess patient suitability. Patients must also be warned about the unpredictable and potentially severe nature of a Disulfiram-alcohol reaction, which in rare cases has been fatal.
Additionally, Disulfiram is not suitable for patients with rare hereditary conditions such as galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Alcohol-related deaths in England
In a letter sent to health secretary Wes Streeting in December, the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) called on the government to make addressing alcohol harm a top priority in 2025.
The AHA endorsed the Medical Council on Alcohol’s recommendations to increase funding and access to alcohol treatment services.
It also stressed the need for strengthening the NHS’s response to alcohol harm, alongside the adoption of policies that tackle the affordability, availability, and marketing of alcohol.
“Addressing alcohol harm must be a top public health priority in 2025, and it requires a cross-government effort to turn the tide on this public health crisis,” said Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, Chair of the AHA.
In the letter, the alliance highlighted alarming official statistics showing a 42 per cent rise in alcohol-related deaths in England, with 8,274 fatalities recorded in 2023.
However, it warned that this figure represents only the tip of the iceberg, stating that “when cases where alcohol was a contributing factor are considered, the true toll is likely three times higher.”
The letter also pointed to the wider impact of alcohol on public health, noting that nearly 950,000 hospital admissions each year—equivalent to six per cent of all hospitalisations—are linked to alcohol consumption.
Alcohol use is associated with seven types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and significant mental health concerns, with 70 per cent of those in alcohol treatment reporting mental health needs.
Beyond the health consequences, the financial burden on the NHS is substantial, with alcohol-related harm estimated to cost £4.91 billion annually.
