UK patients ‘confused by information they receive on medicines’

Many UK patients are finding it difficult to make use of the information available to them to judge the benefits and risks of essential medicines.

A study conducted by the Academy of Medical Sciences has indicated that only 37 percent of the public trust evidence from medical research, compared to 65 percent who would put faith in the experiences of friends and family.

One key sticking point is the quality of patient information leaflets provided with medicines, as it was deemed that these documents focus too much on detailing possible side effects, rather than explaining potential benefits. This can make it more difficult for patients to make informed decisions about medicines.

As such, the report called for European lawmakers to work with national regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical companies and patients to reform these leaflets to give a clearer and more balanced summary of potential pros and cons.

It also outlined a number of suggested questions for patients to ask during medical appointments, while calling for the NHS Choices website to be developed as a go-to source of trusted online information.

Report chair Professor Sir John Tooke said: "With our ageing population and ever more sophisticated treatments being made available, we need to act now to give patients clearer and more useful information about the medicines they take."

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