The Need to Include Pregabalin in Routine Substance Screening Panels to Detect Non-Therapeutic Use and Abuse

Pregabalin abuse remains under-recognized due to current technical and regulatory limitations. Inclusion of pregabalin in routine drug panels is both feasible and urgently needed. The concept of incomplete negativity, introduced in this study, underscores the need to revise national toxicology practices and expand screening panels to include pregabalin. A multidisciplinary approach involving clinical psychiatry, medical biochemistry, and public health authorities is crucial. Recognizing this diagnostic gap is essential for effective clinical and legal responses to substance use disorders.