Читать книгу Fundamentals of Pharmacology - Группа авторов - Страница 30

In the UK, one in four adults experience mental health problems in their lifetime, with one in six experiencing a diagnosable mental health problem in any one year (Mental Health Foundation, 2016). People with mental health problems may die prematurely; the life expectancy of someone with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia is 15–20 years less than the general population (Hjorthø et al., 2017). Often this is because their physical health suffers due to the fact that they are unable to cope and deal with their long‐term condition in a regular and coherent way. The main risks that are specific to those with mental health conditions in terms of premature death include diabetes, obesity, hypertension, lack of exercise and smoking. It is estimated that one in three of the 100 000 people who die avoidably each year in England has a mental illness (Royal Pharmaceutical Society, 2018b).

Many of the medicines that are used to treat mental health problems are also associated with health risks. Pharmacists are experts in medicines and their use and can ensure that people get the best outcomes from their medicines, help to reduce adverse events, minimise any avoidable harm and unplanned admissions to hospital, while also ensuring that resources are used in an efficient way to deliver the standard and level of care that those with mental health conditions deserve. A multidisciplinary approach to medicines optimisation is advocated.

Discussing with patients their experiences of medicines use – for example, their views about what medicines mean to them, how medicines impact on their daily life, whether or not they are able to take their medicines – is a prerequisite that is demonstrated when promoting medicine optimisation.