New guidelines published by NICE today state that putting patients at the centre of medication decision could ensure they get the best outcomes.
The guidelines say that shared decision-making should be based on the best evidence available, taking into consideration the patient’s individual needs, preferences and values.
Paul Chrisp, programme director for the medicines and prescribing centre at NICE, said: “The NICE guideline on medicines optimisation sets out what needs to be done by all health and social care practitioners and organisations to put in place the person-centred systems and processes required for the optimal use of medicines.
“The guideline also supports the safe and effective management of long-term conditions and when people are taking a number of medicines to treat more than one condition.”
Poor communication between patients and healthcare providers can be caused in instances including patients changing their geographical location, when up to 70% have experienced an error or unintentional change in their medication.
In light of this, the guidelines recommend that health and social care practitioners should be able to share relevant information about patients and their medication in specific circumstances in order to optimise the impact of medicines, minimise the number of medicine-related problems and reduce waste.
Dr Weeliat Chong, chair of NICE medicines optimisation committee and chief pharmacist of Humber NHS foundation trust, added: “Over the past 10 years there have been many strategies, models and concepts for optimising a person’s medicines. Medicines optimisation is not a new concept.
“This guideline makes a series of recommendations based on a review of all the relevant clinical and health economic evidence of what works. Involving people in decisions about their medicines to enable them to get the best possible outcomes is a key component of the guideline.”