Need to know

Make sure medicines are working as well as possible and are not putting your health at risk.

Talk to your pharmacist ‘Taking five or more different types of medicine at the same time is known as polypharmacy, and risks one medicine interfering with the absorption, distribution and metabolism of another,’ says Dr Lee. ‘Your drugs may not be working as they should.’

Beware of dangerous drug interactions (DDIs) ‘Common examples include aspirin being taken with warfarin.

Both are blood thinners and together increase your risk of a haemorrhage,’ says Dr Lee. ‘Antacids can prevent antibiotics and heart drugs medication being absorbed into your bloodstream. Iron supplements can also interfere with some antibiotics.’

✢ Take care buying medication

online ‘Medicines bought over the internet may not meet the current UK regulatory standards,’ says Dr Lee. ‘Road paint, rat poison, heavy metals and arsenic have all been found in fake medicines that are made to look exactly like the brand name products. The Royal Society of Pharmaceuticals of Great Britain (RSPGB) logo should be clearly displayed on any pharmacy website – all reputable internet pharmacies should be on the RSPGB register.’