answer text |
<p>In September 2019 Public Health England published an evidence review of medicines
associated with dependence or withdrawal, including benzodiazepines and z drugs. The
report is available at the following link:</p><p><a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prescribed-medicines-review-report"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/prescribed-medicines-review-report</a></p><p>Alongside
ongoing improvements to medicines safety and the use of prescribed drugs, NHS England
is reviewing the recommendations from this review and other evidence to develop a
set of actions to reduce and treat prescription medicine dependency.</p><p>A national
review of overprescribing in the National Health Service is being led by Chief Pharmaceutical
Officer Dr Keith Ridge and will be published in 2020. This will focus on people who
take multiple medicines to ensure patients are receiving the most appropriate treatment
for their needs. The review will consider how to improve management of non-reviewed
repeat prescriptions including prescriptions beyond guidelines, and the role of digital
technologies in reducing overprescribing.</p><p>The Government is committed to growing
the workforce by 6,000 more doctors in general practice and 6,000 more primary care
professionals, including pharmacists. This is on top of the additional 20,000 primary
care professionals NHS England are providing funding towards recruiting. Community
pharmacists have a key role in monitoring the care and treatment of patients, and
would be in a position to review a patient’s medication usage and prescriptions.</p><p>
</p>
|
|