People suffering from conditions such as heart failure and peptic ulcers are at risk of “avoidable harm” due to being prescribed common medications like naproxen, according to a recent study. The research suggests that the cost to the NHS of prescribing these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to those at risk of complications could be £31 million over ten years.
NSAIDs, including ibuprofen and naproxen, are frequently used to alleviate symptoms of headaches, sprains, painful periods or long-term pain conditions like arthritis. They come in various forms, including tablets, capsules, suppositories, creams, gels and injections.
While many individuals can safely use these drugs, some may experience side-effects such as stomach ulcers, headaches, dizziness, and in rare cases, kidney or liver issues, heart attacks, and strokes. Despite this, the practice of prescribing them to people at risk of complications is “still common”, says a study published in The BMJ.
The study utilised data from previous research on prescribing safety in England, focusing on five groups particularly susceptible to NSAID side-effects. These groups include people on blood thinners, those with heart failure or chronic kidney disease, individuals with a history of peptic ulcers, and people over 65 who were not taking medication to suppress gastric acid secretion, known as gastroprotection.
Based on economic modelling, researchers suggest that “problematic NSAID prescribing” could potentially cost NHS England a staggering £31.4 million over a decade and simultaneously result in lost years of good health for patients. They discovered the most notable impact occurred amongst patients on blood thinners, costing £25.4 million, reports Gloucestershire Live.
The most common scenario involved elderly individuals without gastroprotection, which incurred costs reaching £2.5 million.
The researchers remarked: “NSAIDs continue to be a source of avoidable harm and healthcare cost in these five high risk populations, especially in inducing an acute event in people with chronic condition and people taking oral anticoagulants.”
It was detailed that primary care prescriptions of NSAIDs witnessed a decline of roughly 12% between the years of 2017 and 2022.
In the year 2022, it was observed that naproxen, a medication combating swelling and pain in joints and muscles, constituted 69% of all NSAID prescriptions. There was also an upward trend in COX-2 inhibitor prescriptions, drugs specifically tailored to manage arthritis discomfort, though NSAID prescriptions for those with cardiac risks saw a decrease throughout the year, as monitored by the study.
Addressing the issue, an NHS spokesperson asserted: “Prescribers have been acting to reduce NHS prescribing of NSAIDs in England and this has fallen by more than one in 10, over a five-year period. The nationally supported strategy is now focused on optimising medicines use in the NHS, including reducing the use of potentially addictive drugs such as opioid and sleeping pills.”
“There is more to do so it is vital that patients and healthcare professionals discuss whether to continue, reduce or stop taking a medicine and consider non-pharmaceutical alternatives that could be more beneficial to ensure prescribing is appropriate and makes best use of taxpayers’ money.”