In England, we prescribe over 1 billion prescription items every year in primary care and over 1 million people in this country take 10 or more medicines for their long-term conditions. Almost half of these patients are aged 75 and over.
The traditional model of healthcare encourages prescribing following single disease guidelines without consideration of the effect of concurrent conditions or alternatives to medicines. We also know that prescribers overestimate the benefits of medicines and underestimate the risks.
This toolkit aims to support clinicians caring for patients with multiple medications who are admitted to acute care. It outlines key presentations and complications of polypharmacy. It provides service recommendations for acute hospitals and guidance on quality improvement measures and sustainability.
Medical Care - driving change has a range of resources on medication, please visit to learn more.