Patient Information Forum

News & Events > Medicines information

Pill that texts if medication not taken

20 August 2010
News & Events > Medicines information

A small trial of a smart pill that can text a patient's mobile phone if they forget to take their medication is to begin this year. The aim of the trial is to encourage medication compliance which could result in fewer admissions to hospital. The pill is made from digestible sensors that are activated by stomach fluids. Once activated, the sensor sends a signal through to a patch on the patient's shoulder to a mobile phone. The pill can also monitor heart rate, activity and sleep patterns.

Internet influences people's medicine taking

30 July 2010
News & Events > Medicines information

More than half of the medicine users and carers who responded to a survey reported that they search the internet for information about medicines. And more than half of these actually change their treatment or the management of their condition as a result of the information they find online. The survey, commissioned by Datapharm, showed that the information people want is about side effects, interactions, and whether it's the best medicine available for their needs. Two thirds of those who found medicines information on the internet discussed it with a healthcare professional as a result.

PhD Studentship: Medicines leaflets for patients

22 July 2010
News & Events > Medicines information

This PhD studentship is jointly funded by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the University of Leeds and will investigate the impact of a 'headline section' in medicine leaflets for patients. The studentship is available from September 2010 and covers UK/EU tuition fees, plus a yearly tax free stipend. The closing date for applications is 28th July 2010.

Prescription charges review

28 May 2010
News & Events > Medicines information

In 2008 Professor Ian Gilmore, President of the Royal College of Physicians, was asked to lead an independent review on how a prescription charge exemption for people with long term conditions should be implemented, including how it would be phased in. The Government is now publishing the review. Among the recommendations are that patients eligibility should be determined by their doctor and that the Government should consider bringing in the changes as soon as possible.

Insufficient information on medicines

21 May 2010
News & Events > Medicines information

The Care Quality Commission has published the results of its 2009 NHS Inpatient Survey, which showed that there is significant room for improvement around the information given to people about medicines. The proportion of patients who said they were not given enough information about the purpose of medicine they were given to take home has steadily increased. The Commission urges NHS to tackle lack of information about medicines.