MANCHESTER, England, September 12 /PRNewswire/ --



One in two women at high risk of bone fractures don't receive
preventative treatment, according to new research presented at the British
Pharmaceutical Conference (BPC) in Manchester.

Pharmacists in Northumberland,(i) where the hip fracture hospital
admission rate is one of the highest in the UK, conducted the study. The
study groups also included North Tyneside, which has a high mortality rate
after falls.(1)

According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
(NICE), women who have had a previous "fragility" bone fracture or are
diagnosed with osteoporosis1; and women over 75 with osteoporosis, or who
have had a fragility fracture; should receive treatment with calcium/vitamin
D3 and bisphosphonate.(1)

The new research aimed to find out if the NICE criteria and bone
protection treatments were being met in a general practice population. The
results showed that of the patients found to be at risk of future fractures,
only half were receiving the recommended bone protection treatment
(calcium/vitamin D3 with a bisphosphonate).

Those aged below 74 and at risk should have treatment based on the
results of a bone scan, but the study showed this occurred in only a quarter
of all cases.

Pharmacy research into medicine-taking for osteoporosis in Glasgow,
Scotland, looked at whether patients were compliant with taking medications
they had been prescribed for osteoporosis. They found that of the 353 at-risk
patients, 70% were taking a bisphosphonate and calcium supplement as
osteoporosis prevention therapy, but almost a quarter did not always take
their medication.

The reasons patients listed for not taking their medicine included that
they: forgot (46%); disliked the taste (22%); were fed up taking it (7%) and
were unsure of the indication (2%). Others did not understand sufficient
detail about the appropriate way to take the medication.

In Scotland, one in three women and one in 12 men over the age of 50 are
affected by osteoporosis, resulting in 20,000 bone fractures every year.(2)

Wasim Baqir, the Research and Development Lead Pharmacist for Northumbria
Healthcare NHS Trust and a Primary Care Pharmacist said: "It's very important
that people who are at risk of falling and fracturing bones receive
appropriate bone protection treatment. Pharmacists have a key role to play in
helping patients understand the importance of why they are prescribed these
preventative medicines, and what the consequences can be if they don't take
them."

The British Pharmaceutical Conference Press Office (September 10, 11 and
    12 only)

    Tel: +44-(0)-161-839-9170
    Tel: +44-(0)-161-839-9173
    Tel: +44-(0)-161-839-9164
    Tel: +44-(0)-161-832-2023
    Tel: +44-(0)-161-832-1090
    Mobile: +44-(0)-7739-533-658



ISDN: 0161 833 4751

Notes to Editors

Northumberland/Tyneside research:

The medical system of a 12,500 patient practice in North Tyneside was
searched for patients with documented fragility fractures and osteoporosis.
Records of these at-risk patients identified the number of fractures, whether
bone scanning was undertaken and what bone protection treatments were being
used. Poor or no compliance with bone protection treatment was defined as
having not ordered at least one prescription or not ordering any
prescriptions, in the last six months, respectively.

128 patients were identified as being at risk of future fractures.

Scottish research:

Fifty two pharmacies administered a structured questionnaire on
osteoporosis medication to 353 patient or carers.

The British Pharmaceutical Conference - entitled "The medicines maze:
balancing risks and benefits" - takes place from 10th to 12th September,
2007, at Manchester Central (formerly Manchester International Convention
Centre). The theme of BPC 2007 is reflected throughout the programme, with
keynote speeches and workshops addressing crucial technical and professional
issues that are facing pharmacy today. The conference will showcase the
latest developments in pharmaceutical science and practice research and
include discussion and debate led by expert speakers.

References

(i) Pharmacists took part in the research from Northumbria Healthcare NHS
Foundation Trust, North Tyneside Hospital, Sunderland University, and The
Science Complex.

(1). Sibal, Bharat. North Tyneside Falls Mortality and Related
Indicators. June 2006.

(2). Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) management of
Osteoporosis. Edinburgh: SIGN; 2004 (SIGN publication no.71).