Friday 17 June 2022 12:52 AM Doctors must stop over-prescribing as if there is a 'pill for every ill', NHS ... trends now
View
comments
Family doctors must stop over-prescribing and acting as if there is a ‘pill for every ill’, the NHS medical chief has demanded.
Too many patients are taking an unnecessary cocktail of drugs that risk harmful side-effects and waste millions of pounds, Professor Sir Stephen Powis warned.
The NHS medical director said the money could be better spent on tackling record waiting lists.
Many patients have missed out on medicine reviews over the past two years as family doctors slashed face-to-face appointments.
At least 15 per cent of the population – 8.4million people – take more than five drugs a day, with primary care prescriptions costing the NHS in England £9.7billion a year.
Too many patients are taking an unnecessary cocktail of drugs that risk harmful side-effects and waste millions of pounds, Professor Sir Stephen Powis warned
A review last year found a 10 per cent reduction in prescriptions is realistic, suggesting the NHS could save
