New research by MORI for 'Ask About Medicines Week' commissioned by Medicines Partnership shows that, while a majority of people (82%) want information about prescribed medicines from a range of different sources, most value information from traditional and face-to-face sources.

 

Seven in 10 (69%) consider their doctor to be the most useful source of information about prescribed medicines, and around half (52%) cite pharmacists as useful sources of information. Newer sources of information, such as NHS Direct and the internet, are less likely to be considered useful (both mentioned by 14%).

 

Britons are split as to the level of influence they want vis-à-vis their doctor when making decisions about their treatments. Four in 10 (40%) want to make treatment decisions in partnership with their doctor, while a third (32%) want their doctor to decide on the best treatment options. However, only a quarter (25%) want to make their own decisions about treatment (after being given information about treatment options by their doctor), highlighting the crucial role played by GPs in decision-making for the majority.

 

Click here to read more about this year's survey results.

The research, conducted for Ask About Medicines Week, was among more than 2000 adults in Great Britain, and a separate survey was conducted among health professionals including GPs, pharmacists and practice nurses. The main findings from the surveys include: