A targeted MUR pilot project in the Crawley area has revealed that many patients receiving NSAID treatments are not being given PPIs as recommended by Nice to reduce the risk of ulcer, C+D has learned.

Some 62 patients have been through the local MUR scheme this year and 50 have been identified as receiving NSAIDs without the recommended gastroprotective treatment.

The patients concerned are typically aged over 60 and include one 90-year old patient prescribed two NSAIDs and no gastro-protection.

The project, which is led by Dr Carina Livingstone from East and South East England NHS specialist pharmacy services, was developed in collaboration with the Crawley clinical commissioning group (CCG).

The CCG clinical lead, working with local pharmacist and CCG member CJ Patel, had decided to pilot targeted MURs for patients taking NSAIDs in part because the class of drugs is responsible for so many preventable admissions, Dr Livingstone told C+D. It is also known that patient adherence to the PPI therapy is frequently poor, often because patients are not clear why they need to take the additional medicines, she said.

Hospital treatment for GI bleeds is believed to cost the local NHS £6,825 per episode. A number of local pharmacies have been recruited to the scheme and trained to take part with the help of an educational grant from Pfizer. The project intends to continue until at least 100 patients taking NSAIDs have been through the targeted MUR process.  

Want to know more about MUR tips for NSAIDS? visit the C+D MUR Zone