Introduction
This section looks at the prescribing topics which of interest and topical at present. There are three main areas, prescribing of smoking cessation interventions, drugs indicated in the treatment of obesity and medicines used in mental health.
Prescribing of smoking cessation interventions
Smoking has been linked as the cause of many different health conditions. Due to the overall cost of the impact of smoking on the National Health Service, on the 26th March 2006, a ban on smoking in public places was introduced as part of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill to improve public health.
To help smokers to stop smoking on the 29th August 2008, the Public Health Service element of the new Community Pharmacy Contract was introduced in Scotland. This involves a program of up to twelve weeks in which people can visit their local pharmacist and be supported in their attempt to stop smoking, which may include prescribing of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). The patient is charged the current prescription charge (£0.00 from 1st April 2011), instead of paying for the products over the counter, which can be more expensive.
The report below details the prescribing of pharmaceutical interventions for smoking cessation in Scotland for the calendar years 2001 to 2010, inclusive.
Prescribing of Smoking Cessation Interventions in Scotland - Calendar Years 2001 - 2010
Drugs indicated in the treatment of obesity
Obesity is not just a cosmetic issue. It increases the risk of many health problems such as; type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, back and joint pain, high blood pressure, gall stones, infertility, osteoarthritis, depression and other problems. The main treatment of the obese individual is a suitable diet, carefully explained and fully supported, coupled with a change of lifestyle, including increased physical activity.
The report below details the prescribing of pharmaceutical interventions for drugs used indicated in the treatment of obesity, for financial years1998/99 to 2009/10, inclusive.
Drugs indicated for the treatment of obesity - Financial Years 2000/01 - 2009/10
Medicines used in mental health
The Government's policy on Mental Health is to maintain the mental well-being of the people in Scotland, and improve the situation of those with mental ill-health, by working with others to:
- promote attitudes and behaviour in the general public which lead to mental well-being
- to ensure that good quality mental health services are available for everyone that needs them at all levels of need
- The Government works with all stakeholders including users, carers and service providers in health, local government and the voluntary sector
Medicines along with other services can be used in the treatment of various mental health conditions. Below is a series of reports on five specific areas; hypnotics and anxiolytics, drugs used in the treatment of psychoses and related disorders, antidepressants, central nervous system (CNS) stimulants and other drugs used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and drugs for dementia.
Link to archive site: http://www.isdscotland.org/isd/3754.html
