The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently published a guideline on the safe and effective use of medicines (medicines optimisation). If you, or someone you know, is taking or using medicines then this guideline will be of interest. One of the key principles of the guideline is that people who take medicines should be involved in decisions about those medicines. The Information for the Public explains what the recommendations in the guideline mean to you. NICE has suggested some questions which you may wish to ask when discussing your medicines or condition with your care team. These include:
- How often should my medicines be reviewed?
- Who sees the information about the medicines I am taking or using?
- What are the benefits of using a self-management plan?
- Can you tell me more about using patient decision aids?
- What do I do if I think I no longer need to take a medicine that I am prescribed?
If you would like to know more about NICE guidance, see the NICE website. To find out more about how NICE involves patients and carers see the information about involving the public on the website.