New research published by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society suggests that some patients — particularly men - may put their health at risk over the Christmas and new year period by stopping their medicines so that they can have alcoholic drinks.
The survey, which supports a public relations campaign, found that in ordinary circumstances 5 per cent of people would stop taking prescribed medication so that they could have an alcoholic drink. But the figure rose to 18 per cent when people were asked about the Christmas and new year period.
The survey also found out that a third of people did not check whether they could safely drink alcohol with prescribed medicines, with one in six claiming that they regularly consumed alcohol when taking a prescribed medicine. Three-quarters of those questioned said that they did not always check whether they could safely drink alcohol while taking a non-prescription medicine, and more than a third admitted that they routinely mixed alcohol and non-prescription medicines.
The survey also found that men tended to drink twice as much as women and were more likely to increase their alcohol intake over the holiday period. At the same time, they were much more likely to mix medicines and alcohol and less likely to make a point of checking whether they could be mixed.
Commenting on the Society's latest PR campaign, the President (Mrs Christine Glover) said that anyone taking a prescribed medicine should check whether alcohol would interact with it. If it did, the only option was not to drink. Many medicines could be taken safely with moderate amounts of alcohol. The important thing was to find out. She added: "In the run-up to the festive season we are urging people to ask their pharmacist if they have any questions on how best to take their medicine."
Published on December 14, the research attracted the attention of national television and radio news services. Sky News interviewed the Society's head of professional and scientific support, Mr Roger Odd, as did a number of radio news and magazine programmes. The survey was also covered by BBC Breakfast News and ITN Channel 5 News, while BBC Scotland promised coverage before Burns Night (January 25).
The campaign is the latest in a series run by the Society's public relations unit. The topics for campaigns in 2000 are men's health (February), medicines and driving (April), sexual health (June), child safety (August), ear, nose and throat ailments (October) and polypharmacy (December). Wherever possible the campaigns are run in partnership with other appropriate bodies, such as the Doctor Patient Partnership and Age Concern.