Since its introduction in 2004, use of pregabalin has increased significantly with eight-fold growth in the number of prescriptions dispensed in primary care in England over the last 8 years.1,2 In 2014, £250 million was spent on pregabalin, which accounted for almost 3% of the cost of all drugs dispensed in primary care. The vast majority of prescriptions used the generic name rather than the proprietary (or brand) name, Lyrica. The patent for pregabalin's use in epilepsy and generalised anxiety disorder expired in 2014 and the launch of lower-cost generic versions will bring some relief to over-stretched NHS budgets once the Drug Tariff price falls. However, the patent for the use of pregabalin for peripheral …