BMA warns of over-the-counter drug misuse

The British Medical Association (BMA) has said patients are “misusing” over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen and has warned doctors to be on the look out for “addicts”.

The BMA was responding to a survey carried out by UKTV as part of a documentary to mark the 100th anniversary of aspirin, reports the Independent.

The survey showed Britons are taking an average of 373 painkillers every year, a figure described by doctors as “staggering”.

One in 20 adults takes at least six painkillers every time they are feeling ill.

Dr Fabrizio Schifano, senior lecturer and clinical pharmacologist at St George’s Medical School, London, told the Independent: “These figures are staggering. Whenever you have an average it means some people are taking an acceptable amount of pills, but there will be a significant number of people across the country who are consuming a very large number, and that is a big concern.”

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA’s head of science and ethics, said: “Educational programmes and improved labelling will help people to understand how to make the best use of over-the- counter medicines and take control of their illness.”

A total of 2.7 billion paracetamol, 1.4 billion ibuprofen and 700 million aspirin pills are taken in the UK each year.

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