Government pledges to reduce overprescribing of medicines. Liz Fidler President APTUK comments
22 September 2021
On Wednesday 22nd September, The Dept of Health published the National Overprescribing Review report.
Led by Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England Dr Keith Ridge CBE, the government-commissioned review into overprescribing found 10% of the volume of prescription items dispensed through primary care in England are either inappropriate for that patients’ circumstances and wishes, or could be better served with alternative treatments.
Overprescribing describes a situation where people are given medicines they do not need or want, or where potential harm outweighs the benefit of the medication. It can happen when a better alternative is available but not prescribed, the medicine is appropriate for a condition but not the individual patient, a condition changes and the medicine is no longer appropriate, or the patient no longer needs the medicine but continues to be prescribed it.
Around 1 in 5 hospital admissions in over-65s and around 6.5% of total hospital admissions are caused by the adverse effects of medicines. The more medicines a person takes, the higher chance there is that one or more of these medicines will have an unwanted or harmful effect. Some medicines, such as those to reduce blood pressure, can also increase the risk of falls amongst the frail and elderly.
The review sets out a series of practical and cultural changes to make sure patients get the most appropriate treatment for their needs while also ensuring clinicians’ time is well spent and taxpayer money is used wisely. This includes shared decision making with patients about starting or stopping a medicine, better use of technology, ways to review prescriptions more effectively, and considering alternative medicines which would be more effective.
Ministers have accepted all recommendations and work will now begin to implement them, with reforms to pharmacist training already underway.
Liz Fidler, President APTUK said:
This is a hugely welcomed report. I am delighted to see the evidence base around the need to review the number of overprescribed medicines. Ensuring pharmacy teams are skilled in utilising their medicines expertise to work with patients and prescribers to reduce the number of unnecessary prescribed medications is of benefit to us all.
I particularly welcome the recommendations linked to education and training and the opportunities for pharmacy technicians to enhance and fully utilise their skills. Using their wider skills and expertise providing healthy living advice to explore alternatives that fit better with patient lifestyles and hopefully prevent unnecessary medication taking.
APTUK look forward to supporting the implementation of these much-needed recommendations.
For the full report please go to : National overprescribing review report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)