Too many prescriptions?

I'm astonished at the way this story has been reported. As has been said upthread, there are a lot of issues about prescribing but this report is not about that but about numbers on prescription drugs without any evaluation of the reasons. My DH would be dead without his prescription drugs and, as others have said, they would be in pain, unable to function properly.

A doctor that would prescribe such strong opiates painkillers without very closely following up - really needs striking off! But why oh why would patient collect and not take after a couple of boxes perhaps ????? Madness.

Any good doctor/surgery should re-call patients on repeat prescriptions on a regular basis- 3 or 6 monthly depending on drug_/condition- but at least 1x per year and discuss the taking of the medicines with the patient.

Cannot fathom, for the life of me, why patients woulc collect drugs just to stick them in the wardrobe or cupboard??? WHY?

One possible reason is that in the UK, the huge majority of patients have absolutely NO IDEA of the cost of drugs. In most countries people have to pay then reclaim from insurance- so they are much more aware of the costs (which does have its disadvantages of course- if people cannot afford to pay up front and wait for repayment).

Record was 156 boxes of Distalgesic (opiate painkiller), roughly costing £56 a box, which patient didn't take 'because it doesn't work'! £8736 worth of drugs dumped

I'm not sure about other surgeries but mine calls patients on repeat prescriptions into see a doctor every few months to check they still need everything on the list.

OH used to say the same- cupboards full of drugs never used. So yes, that kind of waste really does have to be addressed, via education and persuasion- but urgently.

I wonder just how they got these figures? Are they actually taking them or prescribed them?
I also wonder how many prescription drugs accumulate in patients' cupboards because of the way repeat prescriptions are done? I know some patients automatically tick every box, regardless of whether take the tablets or not, 'just in case'. Once the tablets etc are given to the patient they cannot be returned to the pharmacy and put back on the shelf if not needed.
When working in a local hospital, we would fill a small skip every week with unused/unwanted drugs brought in to the wards by patients and relatives- hideous waste of money
No wonder pharmaceutical costs are so high for CCGs and hospitals.

And even if you have only a small private pension it can put you into paying tax so you're still paying for it.

I'm sure you're right. They don't like anyone getting anything for free even though it's not free because you have paid for it throughout your working life.

I suspect you may be right Lily. The majority on prescriptions must be for over 65s who don't pay.

(my old doctor never gave prescriptions unless I was really, really ill - if he prescribed .....!!)