RCGP: Prescribing is a “core skill” for GPs and vast majority of prescriptions are not “unnecessary”

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) has responded to comments by the medical director for NHS England at the NHS Confed Expo

Prof Sir Stephen Powis spoke on “unnecessary prescriptions”. The following is a press release by Professor Martin Marshall, chair of the RCGPs, in response to the comments.

Prof Martin Marshall said: “Prescribing is a core skill for GPs and is a key part of our training. When developing a treatment plan, GPs will take into account a patient’s individual health needs and medical history, as well as clinical guidance – and we will consider the various treatment options, including alternatives to drug therapies, in conversation with the patient about the risks and benefits of each.

“The College would agree that where safe and possible, particularly if patients are taking multiple medications, reducing prescribing in the long-term is a good aspiration because neither GPs nor patients want medication to be a permanent solution for their health conditions.

“However, sometimes long-term medication is necessary and, in most cases, where prescriptions have been made, they are necessary, appropriate and of benefit for the patient. It is also vital that access to alternative therapies to medication, where they are appropriate and of most benefit for patients, is good and equal across the country.”