Wed, 31 Jan 2001
Be clear about your medicines
Older people at risk from mixing medicines.According to survey results out today (31.01.01) older people are missing out on crucial advice about the medicines they are taking.
The vital message from the Be Clear About Your Medicines campaign launched today by Lord Hunt is that dangers including side-effects and drugs overdoses can result from mixing medicines that contain drugs such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin.
People over 55 years old are one of the least likely age groups to ask their pharmacist for advice about medicines. One in five of those in the 55-64 age group couldn’t name a single drug commonly used in many over-the-counter medicines. In addition, more than 1 in 5 of those over 65 were similarly unaware of this despite the fact that half of those over 70 take three or more prescription medicines.1
Age Concern England, the Doctor Patient Partnership, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and National Pharmaceutical Association have united to raise awareness amongst older people about the dangers of mixing medicines.
Over a million leaflets, developed with Discovery Health, will be available in GP surgeries, Age Concern offices and pharmacies UK wide coinciding with the launch of the Discovery Health Be Clear About Your Medicines section on their website (www.discoveryhealth.co.uk). The leaflets and website contain concise information about the dangers of mixing medicines and also feature a Medicines Card for older people to list all medicines and keep with them at all times.
Significantly the results also revealed that it’s not just older people who need to be more aware of the dangers of mixing medicines. 1 in 3 men don’t know any drugs that commonly appear in many over-the-counter medicines. Men are also a lot less likely than women to ask for advice from their pharmacist (27%: 38%).
Welcoming the campaign Health Minister Lord Philip Hunt said
"It is of great concern that older people, who are the largest users of medicines, are least likely to seek advice on medicines from their pharmacist. I welcome this campaign and the contribution it will make to helping people get the most from their medicines and from their local pharmacist."
Commenting on the campaign Dr Catti Moss, GP and Trustee of the Doctor Patient Partnership said
"It is alarming that almost a third (31%) of people say they would not tell the pharmacist about medication they are on if they are not asked. Although people on the whole (53%) are aware that paracetamol is found in many over-the-counter products, especially women (61%) only 35% of people questioned know that aspirin is commonly found in many medicines.
At the end of the day it is patients, especially older patients who may be on a lot of medication, who suffer if they’re not aware of the risks of mixing over-the-counter medicines together or with prescription medicines. Expert advice from the Pharmacist is available when buying medicines, people need to make sure that the Pharmacist has the information they need to give accurate advice."
Christine Glover, President, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain said
"This campaign highlights the importance of older people talking to their pharmacist about the medication they are taking. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and their possible interactions and they are the first port of call for more than one million people each day who are looking for healthcare advice.
Older people can often be taking a number of medicines at one time and we want to ensure that the over-the-counter medicines they are taking, best suit their needs and do not react adversely with other medication."
Gordon Lishman, Director General, Age Concern England said
"The fact that so many older people are unaware of the dangers of mixing medicines suggests the relationship between health professionals and older people needs improving.
This campaign will help older people to take more power, to encourage them to ask questions and search for the advice they need about the medicines they are taking.
When older people are buying over-the-counter medicines it is vital they inform the pharmacist of what other prescription drugs and medicines they are taking. That way, the pharmacist’s advice and reassurance could be the best medicine of all."
Dr Rob Hicks, Discovery Health doctor welcomed the campaign saying
"It's important that GPs, pharmacists and organisations such as the DPP, Age Concern and Discovery Health work together to help inform patients about the medicines they take. Together we can try to minimise the risk to older patients, by providing them with the information they need and encouraging them to talk to their healthcare professional."
Notes to Editors
1. Doctor, 15 June 2000
2. A Brown Bag week from 5 February 2001 marks the launch of the campaign. People can take their medicines to their local Lloyds Pharmacy for advice about whether their prescription or over-the-counter medicines are safe to be taken in combination. They will also be able to ask for general advice about the suitability of the medication they are taking.
Survey results
3. 22% 55-64 and 27% of 65+ year olds would ask their pharmacist for advice about medicine
4. 20% of 55-64 and 22% of 65+ year olds couldn’t name a single drug commonly found in many over-the-counter medicines
5. Almost a third (31%) of people say they would not tell the pharmacist about medication they are on if they were not asked.
6. People know that paracetamol (53%) is commonly found in a lot of OTC medicines especially women (61%) but only 35% could name aspirin as a drug commonly found in over-the-counter medicines.
7. Almost 1 in 3 men are unable to name one or more drugs which are commonly found in many medicines.
8. Men are also a lot less likely than women to ask for advice from their pharmacist (27%:38%).
9. Only 4% of people questioned would ask family or friends for advice about their medicines
10. The DPP research was carried out by NOP Solutions between the 20-22nd October 2000, randomly via telephone. A sample of 1001 adults 15+ who are nationally representative of the British population were collected.