Increasing access to medicines
16 December 2005
A new report published today by Which? demonstrates that the needs of consumers must come first in order for increased self-care to become reality.
Drawing on new research the report, part of Which?'s work on choice in key areas affecting consumers, argues that the public are not fully engaged with the idea of increased choice in medicines and that Government, regulators and healthcare professionals must recognise and address this.
Kate Webb, Senior Policy Adviser at Which? and author of the report, comments:
"The Government is committed to increasing access to medicines including making more treatments available over the counter. However, if the Government expects the public to take greater responsibility for their own health they must ensure that medicines are safe and effective and provide the necessary information and support to enable consumers to make an informed choice.
"The success of increasing access to medicines depends on the action of consumers. If the voice of the consumer and their needs are ignored, the drive towards increased self-care will remain vision not reality."
Recommendations within the report include:
- Targets for reclassifying medicines should be abolished
- The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) should be charged with approving over the counter medicines (OTC) only when there is evidence of clinical benefit
- MHRA must effectively monitor and evaluate new OTC medicines to ensure that any side effects are quickly noted and addressed
- Improvements in the provision of high quality information and support must be made
- More effective advertising regulation and enforcement of OTC medicines, preferably undertaken by an independent regulator with advertising and information as its sole remit.
Research Notes
- Which? conducted two pieces of consumer research on the subject of Choice & Medicines in June / July 2005:
(i) Quantitative research. A face-to-face, in-home omnibus survey among a nationally representative sample of 1026 adults aged 15+ across Great Britain
(ii) Qualitative research. Six focus groups among consumers with different levels of medicine needs and different levels of caring responsibilities. The qualitative research took place in three locations across England. - The delivery of NHS care in England is currently being reformed under the banner of increased patient choice. Which? Choice: Medicines brings the consumer perspective to the discussions around the introduction of choice in access to medicines, a neglected area of the choice debate.
- Which? supports the public having swift access to appropriate medicines so long as their safety and efficacy has been demonstrated and there is ready access to supporting, independent and relevant information.
- It is essential that choice in medicine works on consumers' terms. According to Government research, the future security of the NHS depends on full engagement of the public with their health and greater self-care. Full engagement demands a cultural shift across the NHS and the organisations it works with to listen and act on patients' needs and wants.
