NEWS
Many patients in the UK have long-term
conditions, such as Diabetes, Parkinson's
and Alzheimers, for which they need to
take regular medications, often in pill form.
In the UK, there are at least 3.1 million
people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes
(T2D) and 11.9 million at high risk,
therefore almost one in four people either
have or are at risk of having the condition,
and this is set to rise.
T2D can be managed with a
combination of lifestyle changes and
medication, but despite effective
medications, the condition often not well
controlled leading serious and life-limiting
complications often needing time in
hospital. It has been previously estimated
that diagnosed T2D costs the NHS almost
10% of its budget -- approximately £8.8
billion every year, 80% of which is due
to diabetes-related complications. So
it's costly, but better management of
medications can help improve matters, as
it's believed that up to 50% of people do
not take their medication correctly. This
percentage increases with both age and
the number of medicines prescribed.
PillTime.co.uk is therefore set to
save considerable NHS funds while
improving the health of millions of patients
with long-term conditions that require
PILLS IN PACKS multiple medications at regular intervals.
It is a free service, prescriptions are sent
electronically directly from the doctor to
the PillTime.co.uk pharmacy where the
medication is dispensed in easy-to-open
pouches, organised in order and clearly
marked with the correct date and time
for when the dose should be taken. This
provides piece of mind that all tablets
are taken at the right time, every time.
The PillTime boxes are sent discreetly to
the patient via tracked mail service. The
Electronic Prescription Service is currently
offered by over 83% of surgeries in
England, those Patients who do not have
access to this service will need to either
post their prescriptions directly to PillTime.
co.uk or ask their surgery to post them on
their behalf.
Paul Mayberry is an award-winning
pharmacist and co-founder of PillTime.
He says, "We hope to help patients
across the UK who take multiple meds by
making how you take your medicines less
confusing. Pilltime.co.uk helps patients
take their medication exactly as your
doctor prescribed and therefore get the
very best out of them whilst reducing the
risk of complications."
www.pilltime.co.uk
Findings from the 2015 British Social
Attitudes survey present new findings
on attitudes in Britain towards obesity
and what might be done to reduce its
prevalence. Despite appreciating some
of the health risks, people tend not to
recognise obesity when it does exist - and
especially so in men. Obesity is frequently
regarded as a problem for individuals
and healthcare professionals rather than
society more generally, and those who
are obese are often stigmatised. There
is significant support for actions aimed at
reducing levels of obesity.
People tend to overestimate what
obesity means in terms of body size, with
54% of those surveyed correctly identify
when a woman is obese and only 39%
correctly do this for a man. The 2015
survey included 40 questions about
obesity, none of which had been asked
before. The questions were developed
through a process of questionnaire
design in consultation with PHE (Public
Health England) experts, together with
piloting potential questions among a small
sample of the general public. Some of the
questions were included in the face-toface part of the survey,
while others (which
might be considered more sensitive) were
asked in the self-completion booklet.
Interviewing took place between July and
November 2015.
To download the survey click HERE.
IDENTIFYING
OBESITY