Issue anaesthetic (6)

I believe the answer is:

number

I believe this clue is a double definition.

'issue' is the first definition.
('number' can be a synonym of 'issue')

'anaesthetic' is the second definition.
(i.e. something that makes things numb)

(Other definitions for number that I've seen before include "theme tune?" , "Vend" , "1,2,3, for instance" , "28 down, for instance" , "Digit, cipher" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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