Epilepsy patients want more medicines information
People with epilepsy want more information about their medicines, results from a new survey commissioned by the National Society for Epilepsy suggest.
The NSE sent a questionnaire to its members to collect opinions on how
well their epilepsy is being managed. Of 197 respondents, just over half
had not discussed the side effects of their anti-epileptic medication
with their GP and 13 per cent of patients had not had a medication review
for at least two years.
When asked how their care could be improved, 22 per cent said they wanted
more information about their condition.
Commenting on the survey, Riaz Esmail, of Fairview Pharmacy in Harrow,
Middlesex, said that community pharmacists could help to provide this
information. “I would encourage all epilepsy patients to form a
partnership with their local pharmacist.”
He added: “In Harrow we are in the process of investigating the
benefits of full medication reviews in community pharmacies.” In
Mr Esmail’s pharmacy there is a small library and internet access
so that on-line information is accessible for patients to conduct their
own research (PJ, 3/10 January, p19). “Results can be discussed
with the pharmacist and interpreted where necessary in the patient’s
own context.”
The NSE highlights recommendations for pre-conception counselling for
women with epilepsy that are set out in recent National Institute for
Clinical Excellence guidelines. However, only 29 per cent of women surveyed
had discussed this with their GP. A similar proportion had discussed
potential risks to a baby during pregnancy while taking anti-epileptic
medicines.
The NSE also commissioned a national survey of 202 GPs, and found that
although most doctors were following good practice advice, such as recalling
patients with epilepsy on an annual basis, 21 per cent said they only
perform a review of patients’ epilepsy when the patient visits
about another matter. Ten per cent of GPs said that they only carry out
such a review if the person is visiting about an epilepsy-related matter.
Take control campaign Epilepsy Action has launched a “Take
control” campaign to coincide with national epilepsy week (16–22
May). The charity estimates that up to 70 per cent of people with
epilepsy could become seizure-free with the appropriate treatment,
but only around half currently achieve this. The new campaign aims
to help people with epilepsy work with their doctor towards a better
quality of life.
Campaign packs, containing a booklet, action card and seizure diary, are available
free to pharmacists or customers on 0808 800 5050.
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