The cost to the NHS of prescribing those at risk of complications is £31 million over a decade, researchers said
A recent study has sounded the alarm on commonly used drugs such as naproxen, highlighting that individuals with conditions like heart failure and peptic ulcers could suffer "avoidable harm". The research indicates that the NHS might be incurring an eye-watering £31 million over a decade due to complications from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs being prescribed to those at risk.
While NSAIDs are generally safe for most people, they can cause unpleasant side effects in some, including stomach ulcers and dizziness, and in rare instances, more serious problems like kidney or liver issues, heart attacks, and strokes. Yet, the practice of prescribing NSAIDs to high-risk patients is "still common", according to the study published in The BMJ.
The researchers stressed: "NSAIDs continue to be a source of avoidable harm and healthcare cost in these five high risk populations, especially in inducing an acute event in people with chronic condition and people taking oral anticoagulants." In 2022, naproxen, which is used to relieve joint and muscle pain and inflammation, accounted for a massive 69 per cent of all NSAID prescriptions. However, while prescriptions for NSAIDs in patients with heart risks have gone down, there has been an increase in prescriptions for COX-2 inhibitors, used to relieve arthritis pain, the study found.
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