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Deprescribing

In a new series Dr Mark Porter explores the growing trend to 'deprescribe' as evidence suggests over 1 million older people in the UK now take 8 or more medicines a day,

In a new series of Inside Health Dr Mark Porter explores the growing initiative to 'deprescribe'. The last two decades have seen a dramatic increase in prescriptions and over the counter medication use with one third of people aged over 75 taking at least six medicines. Evidence suggests a person taking ten or more medicines is 3 times more likely to be admitted to hospital. Yet this is not just an issue in the elderly. Inside Health visits a children's ward with a new drug optimising service leading the way in appropriate prescribing for kids. Mark Porter investigates why such a huge number of people are on multiple medications and discusses the barriers to change with tips from leading experts trying to achieve a new approach.

Available now

28 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Tue 2 Jul 2019 21:00
  • Wed 3 Jul 2019 15:30

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