§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the incidence of inappropriate neuroleptic prescribing in nursing and residential homes; and if he will make a statement; [97209]
(2) what steps he has taken to reduce the over-medication of older people in (a) residential and (b) nursing homes; and if he will make a statement; [98033]
(3) what estimate he has made of the number of older people who are inappropriately prescribed (a) traditional and (b) atypical antipsychotic medication. [98032]
§ Jacqui SmithEstimated numbers of prescription items for antipsychotics (all antipsychotics and atypical antipsychotics) are shown in the table.
370W
Estimated number of prescription items for antipsychotics per 1,000 population Elderly (60+) Non-elderly All antipsychotics 1999 213 64 2000 224 67 2001 210 64 20021 109 35
Estimated number of prescription items for antipsychotics per 1,000 population Elderly (60+) Non-elderly Atypical antipsychotics 2001 81 55 20021 25 17 1 April-September. Source:
Prescription Cost Analysis (PCA) data
Information is not available about prescribing specifically in care homes.
The Government are aware of concerns about the possibility of inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotic medication in care homes and of the results of a recent survey on this issue. A number of developments should help ensure that antipsychotic medication is used only when appropriate. In particular, implementation of the medicines management supplement of the older people's national service framework and the requirements in the care homes national minimum standards around management of medication should ensure that any problems are picked up.