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Self care, medicines purchased and the abolition of the prescription charge

Explore the relationship between prescription charge abolition, self-care, and community health resilience in Wales. Analyzing the implications on GP workload, NHS costs, and community habits, this study advocates for a national strategy to empower individuals in managing their health.

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Self care, medicines purchased and the abolition of the prescription charge

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  1. Self care, medicines purchased and the abolition of the prescription charge Roger Walker Pharmaceutical Public Health Team 23 October 2006

  2. What is the issue? • If we abolish the prescription charge in Wales will this reduce the incentive to purchase medicines for self care? • Does this matter? • …and if it matters should we stop it?

  3. Self care “Self-care is one of the best examples of how partnership between the public and health service can work”. Securing our future health: taking a long-term view Derek Wanless 2002 “ A step-change in individuals’ and communities’ acceptance of responsibility for their health is needed”. The review of health and social care in Wales Derek Wanless 2003 “Even greater efforts will be made to help people look after their own health” Designed for Life May 2005

  4. Welsh Assembly imperative • The volume of prescriptions dispensed is growing year on year • Self-treatable symptoms account for nearly 40% of GP time

  5. disease perception access advertising habit Dr Phobic confidence Determinants of self care ? experience professional support/chauvinism skills family support priority status resources peer support knowledge & awareness want want

  6. What is self care ? An acquired habit and skill that requires individuals to have an appropriate knowledge base and access to safe, effective and affordable medicines

  7. The UK self care market UK OTC market 12 months to December 2005 £2074 million Source: Information Resources, Inc 2006 NHS Wales primary care drug bill 12 months to March 2006 £563 million Source: StatsWales 2006

  8. Has the reduction of the prescription charge had any impact to date? • Work initiated in collaboration with Primary Care Division of the Assembly • Obtained OTC data for each LHB from IMS Health • Compared OTC “sales” between LHBs with two comparator areas in England

  9. North East England South East England Darlington Derwentside Durham and Chester-le-Street Durham Dales Easington Hartlepool Langbaurgh Middlesbrough North Tees Sedgefield Gateshead Newcastle North Tyneside Northumberland South Tyneside Sunderland Teaching 2,535,076 2,537,160

  10. Implications of a reduction in the purchase of medicines • Increase GP workload • Increase cost to NHS • Habit is lost • Knowledge and skills of using OTC medicines are lost • Health resilience of communities declines

  11. A solution? • National strategy to promote self care • Collaborate with major pharmacy chains, PAGB, CPW, local media • Target expert patient programmes, community groups, school curriculum etc ………but whatever we do we need to start doing it now!

  12. Why should we promote self care? “We must view the population itself as the most significant health resource, a co-producer of health rather than a consumer of healthcare services” Antony Morgan Erio Ziglio 2006

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