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1. Warning Signs


10 February 2026


Early in 2025, BBC Investigations Correspondent Noel Titheradge published his first story about a category of prescription drug with unusual negative effects.


People who take dopamine agonist drugs for like Parkinson's disease or Restless Legs Syndrome often report impulse control disorders - problems with gaming, compulsive consuming or shopping, or hypersexuality.


He wasn't expecting the reaction. After that very first short article was released more than 200 people contacted us - that's me, they stated, that's my partner, that's my papa.


So Noel began digging.