Deaths caused by synthetic opioids in the UK may be significantly higher than official records show, according to a new clinical study.

The research focuses on nitazenes, a class of man-made opioids that can be up to 500 times more potent than heroin. Evidence suggests that these chemicals break down and disappear in blood samples after a person dies. Because the drugs degrade so quickly, toxicologists - scientists who test for poisons and drugs - may fail to detect them during autopsies. This leads to a systematic undercounting of drug-related fatalities.

The authors of the study warn that these inaccurate figures have a direct impact on public safety. When the data is wrong, it becomes much harder for officials to design effective harm reduction strategies, such as overdose prevention programs.

In response to the findings, a government spokesperson said that officials remain committed to reducing drug deaths and are staying alert to new and emerging threats in the illicit drug market.