"Poly-pragmasy" This is the theme of the latest "Wednesday with Prevention" - an educational campaign by the National Health Fund.
What is polypragmasy and can it affect you or your loved ones?
When we talk about polygamy
Polypragmasy, also known as multidrug use, is the taking of five or more drugs at the same time. It is dangerous for everyone, especially elderly people burdened by chronic diseases, e.g. diabetes, hypertension, circulatory failure.
From the report NFZ on health. Poly-pragmasy results that:
➡ 1/3 of Polish women and men over 65 take at least 5 medicines a day.
➡ More than 2 million Poles bought more than 5 active substances in a month.
➡ In the first six months of 2019, nearly 8.4 million people purchased prescription medicines (including those not reimbursed by the NHF) containing at least five active substances, of which 4.3 million people, or 51.8%, were aged 65 or over.
Taking multiple medications at the same time increases the risk of dangerous complications and interactions. The danger of undesirable interactions may increase with concomitant use:
- 2 drugs about 5%
- 5 drugs about 50%
- 8 and above up to 100%.
An informed patient - effective therapy
– Our seniors often have an arsenal of medicines at home. It is worthwhile for a medical professional to review these medications at least once every six months - says in the attached video Dr Honorata Blaszczyk, specialist in family medicine and urges everyone to think and check whether we really need it before buying another medicine. He also reminds that patients have the right to use a cheaper substitute medicine. They then receive a medicine with the same active substance, in the same dosage only under a different name.
How to reduce the risk of adverse effects of multiple drugs? How can poilpragmasy be avoided? Are all medicines for people over 75 free? What rules apply in this respect?
See the expert's statement on the NFZ Academy YouTube channel:
Audio version:
Educational materials prepared as part of the 'Wednesday with Prevention' campaign are available free of charge at:
- channel YouTube NFZ Academy,
- Facebook NFZ Academy
- and on the website of the National Health Fund - https://www.nfz.gov.pl/aktualnosci/aktualnosci-oddzialow/
We encourage you to view and read educational material and distribute widely with information about the NFZ cycle. Every Monday we publish on NFZ Twitter and on Facebook NFZ Academy A post announcing the theme of 'Wednesdays with Prevention'.