The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 275 No 7375 p599
12 November 2005

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Waste could be cut if people ask about their medicines

Millions of pounds could be saved each year if the public asked more questions about their medicines, according to Joanne Shaw, director of Ask About Medicines Week, which took place from 7–11 November.

“Better communication between health professionals and medicine users should help them to agree about taking medicines or other treatment approaches, and ensure that NHS money is used effectively,” commented Ms Shaw. The AAMW campaign wants the public to ask more questions about their medicines, not only to ensure that they use them safely and effectively, but also to avoid a situation where medicines are never used, costing the NHS in England around £800m per year.

A Healthcare Commission survey earlier this year showed that 41 per cent of people in the UK are not involved as much as they want to be in prescribing decisions. In addition, MORI research has shown that 44 per cent of people who are prescribed a new medicine do not believe that they are given enough information about treatment choices from health care professionals.