Benzodiazepine Information Coalition

Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC) is a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, formed in August of 2016, that brings together a network of medical professionals, patients, and other volunteers to inform the general public, media, and medical professionals about the risks of benzodiazepine prescription, particularly long term (>2-4 weeks, including tapering off time), and the resulting epidemic of iatrogenic patient injury. The organization’s mission statement reads: “Educating about the potential adverse effects of benzodiazepines taken as prescribed.”

BIC is comprised of directors, a medical advisory board, a general advisory board and volunteers. The organization also works in conjunction with the benzodiazepine-impacted community worldwide. BIC does not seek to ban benzodiazepines, but advocates instead for informed consent as well as safe, evidence-based prescribing and deprescribing (taper) practices by medical professionals.

BIC offers education via their website and social media platforms. Additionally, an integral part of their outreach includes awareness and education via well-known media outlets and publications. The organization also attends and speaks at medical conferences, blogs about benzodiazepine-related topics, and advises on benzodiazepine policy. Some of the medical advisory board members have also published benzodiazepine-focused research. The organization maintains its latest media coverage, recognition, events and achievements on their Impact Page.

Benzodiazepine Information Coalition’s site features step-by-step instructions for reporting adverse benzodiazepine and/or Z-drug reactions to the FDA MedWatch Program. They also maintain a FAQ page where the most common questions about benzodiazepines, cessation from benzodiazepines, and the Coalition are answered. The site’s Resources section offers a list of available professional, online, and global support as well as links to printables, existing benzodiazepine prescribing and withdrawal guidelines from around the world, and books and documentaries on the topic.