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NICE issues draft multimorbidity care guidelines

Guidance on caring for people prescribed 15 or more medicines is open for consultation 

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued draft guidelines on caring for people with multiple long-term conditions.

The advice, which is open for consultation, suggests ways to reduce the burden of treatment on patients and minimise unwanted side effects from multiple medicines.

NICE points out that 2.9 million people in England are predicted to have two or more long-term health conditions - known as multimorbidity - by 2018, at an estimated cost of £7,700 per person per year.

The guidance suggests a tailored approach to care for people prescribed 15 or more regular medicines because they are likely to be at higher risk of drug interactions and adverse events. This approach could include the stopping of medicines due to limited benefits and offering non-pharmacological treatments.

NICE chair David Haslam said: ‘Healthcare professionals should use their judgement when planning treatments or services appropriate to someone with more than one long-term health condition.

‘It is important to balance the evidence for benefit with the potential harm of treatment for the individual, and take into account the preferences and wishes of the person.’

To view the consultation, which is open until May 12, click here