FOI reference: FOI-2024-2378
You asked
What number of deaths have occurred each year in (a) England and (b) Wales since 1993 where khat, qat, or Catha edulis was mentioned on the medical cause of death certificate or coroner's report?
We said
Thank you for your request.
Unfortunately, we would be unable to provide you with the number of deaths where "khat", "qat" or "Catha edulis" was mentioned on the death certificate or coroner's text. Our current method of identifying specific drugs mentioned on the death certificate or in the coroner’s text includes a sophisticated natural language processing algorithm, which would need to be amended and tested to include the search terms you require. Therefore, in order to fulfil this request, we would need to create new information. Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, Public Authorities are not required to create new information. We therefore do not hold the information you have requested.