Abstract

The Committee on the Review of Medicines (CRM) followed its recent publication on the use of barbiturates^{1 2} with guidelines on the use of benzodiazepines in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.³ These are intended to help manufacturers prepare their applications for revised product licences; they are not rigid recommendations. Modifications may still be agreed between manufacturers and the CRM. We first summarise the CRM’s findings and then comment on its recommendations.