De-prescribing Awareness

De-prescribing means reducing the numbers of medications being prescribed to you. Sometimes medications can keep being added and none are removed - resulting "polypharmacy" and all the risks associated, such as drug interactions and increased side effects.

The Dept of Health are making "de-prescribing" an area of focus for the forthcoming year.

Nutritional Supplements

The vast majority of patients do not need prescribed vitamin supplements.  A healthy balanced diet should provide all the nutrition you need.  Occasionally they will be prescribed for significant nutritional deficiencies.

If you are being prescribed vitamins you should ask if they are needed. They may be stopped by the practice and you can discuss this with the practice pharmacist of you have any concerns.

Do I need vitamin supplements? - NHS (www.nhs.uk)