UK Health Crisis: Millions on Risky Meds

Millions of Britons are in danger due to prolonged use of prescription medications, according to top pharmacist Deborah Grayson. She asserts that patients are often left on drugs for years without proper review, facing devastating side effects and potential dependence, with risks frequently hidden from them.

Grayson points to an epidemic of long-term prescribing, driven partly by NHS pressures and a culture of quick fixes. Medications like codeine, statins, antidepressants, gabapentin, pregabalin, steroid creams, PPIs, and laxatives are highlighted for their significant risks, including addiction, severe withdrawal, and organ damage, often with unclear benefits for preventative use.

The pharmacist urges patients to actively discuss medication necessity with their GPs and explore safer alternatives, emphasizing the importance of reviewing benefits versus harms. Without clear plans and medical supervision, many individuals remain trapped on potentially harmful drugs, unaware of the serious consequences for their health.