Medicines management.

摘要

'Generic substitution' is being introduced next year, and I am worried it will cause problems for some of my patients. Am I right to be concerned?Yes, but there are ways to tackle the problems as they arise.Generic substitution is designed to reduce NHS costs by ensuring pharmacists switch from branded medicines named on prescriptions to cheaper generic alternatives. Prescribers are meant to prescribe generically where possible, but this can be counterproductive. If a patient prefers a particular medicine, they are more likely to take it as prescribed. If they do not like the taste or texture of a product, they are less likely to use it as directed. This can have a major effect on medication adherence, which can lead to failed treatment and the need for expensive secondary care treatment.