False: Midazolam injection is being used to kill people in the U.K.

By: Umme Kulsum
January 19 2022

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There is no evidence to support this claim. The U.K. ordered additional midazolam in order to avoid potential shortages amid the pandemic. A video released by English conspiracy theorist David Icke was recently shared on Facebook claiming that midazolam injections are being used to kill people and that the COVID-19 pandemic is fake. However, these claims are baseless. COVID-19 is an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 virus, killing more than 5,000,000 people globally to date. Midazolam injections are given before surgery or specific procedures as they produce sleepiness or drowsiness and relieve anxiety. The drug is used as anesthesia for loss of consciousness during surgery and for anxiety in palliative care. During the end-of-life period, people are given anticipatory medicines, including midazolam, for symptom management and help them feel comfortable. However, there is no proof that midazolam is used as a tool to kill people during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to MedlinePlus, an overdose of midazolam injection may cause "severe or life-threatening breathing problems." Hence, it is always advised that this medication needs to be received at a hospital or a clinic with the required equipment to monitor the patient. In April 2020, due to the disruption in the supply of midazolam and to have continuity in the supply during the COVID-19 pandemic situation, Accord health obtained approval to get the supply from France. This was a precaution to reduce potential shortages in the NHS caused by COVID-19 but not to kill people. Meanwhile, the Association of Anaesthetists and the Royal College of Anaesthetists listed midazolam as the first-line drug in managing COVID-19 patients in critical care, according to the ICM Anaesthesia COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.