UK to curb overprescribing of medicines

The government will take action to prevent medicines from being prescribed unnecessarily in England, as a new review highlights the impact of overprescribing. The review revealed that 10 per cent 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. Around 1 in 5 hospital admissions in over

65s and around 6.5 per cent 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.