Misuse of prescription medicines is as prevalent as the use of recreational drugs and novel psychoactive substances in Singapore: an unrecognised public health issue?

Introduction: Misuse of prescription medicines and the harms associated with such use are growing threats across the world. There is currently, however, limited data on the extent of prescription medicine misuse in Singapore and whether this is a current threat in the country.

Methods: An online survey, limited to 1,000 individuals (aged 21 years and over) who were residents in Singapore, was administered through a survey panel company in September 2015.