Half of all patients do not take their medicines as prescribed and they could be putting their health in danger, pharmacists have warned. Alison Healy reports.
The Irish Pharmaceutical Union has just launched a campaign to encourage people to use medicines correctly.
Common errors made by patients include stopping the medication too soon, taking incorrect doses or mixing over-the-counter medicines with herbal or other products without checking with a pharmacist or GP.
Mr Richard Collis, IPU president, said people often stopped taking essential medicines because they did not fully understand why they had been prescribed the medicines.
Some people also had fears and concerns over the possible side effects caused by the medication, he said.
"The more people understand about their medicines, and how to use them properly, the more benefit they will get from those medicines.
"This campaign will encourage patients to take responsibility for their medication and should lead to much less medicine wastage," Mr Collis said.
The IPU campaign is encouraging people to use their local pharmacists as a source of expert advice on medicines.
It advises patients to discuss any concerns or fears about medication with their pharmacists.
The three-month campaign also encourages people to check expiry dates on medicines in cupboards and to check with pharmacists if they feel a medicine might be too old.
Over the next three weeks, more than 100 participating pharmacists will provide customers with leaflets advising them of the questions they should ask when having a prescription completed.
Advice from pharmacists includes:
Always tell the pharmacist if the patient is sensitive or allergic to aspirin or any other medicines, or has any underlying medical condition.
For liquid medicines, always use a special 5ml measure - not a teaspoon.
Don't try to crush or dissolve tablets or break up capsules unless it is stated on the label or you have checked with the pharmacist.
Before buying a medicine, always tell a pharmacist if the patient is taking any other over-the-counter product, herbal medicine, vitamin or food supplement.
Store medicine in a cool, dry place, safely locked away from children.