Question reference: S6W-02921
- Asked by: Annie Wells, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 14 September 2021
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 27 September 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what percentage of people with osteoporosis remain on anti-osteoporosis medication after one year, and what steps it has taken to improve adherence rates.
Answer
Diagnostic information on osteoporosis, or on medical adherence, is not centrally held by Public Health Scotland. Patients are not routinely tracked year on year and so this analysis is not available. In addition, medicines that are commonly prescribed for osteoporosis may also be prescribed for other conditions.
The number of prescriptions for drugs commonly used for osteoporosis in 2020-21 was 495,340, received by 76,898 individuals. These data relates to community dispensing only. In addition, calcium and vitamin D supplements are also widely used as part of prevention and treatment for osteoporosis.
Scottish Government recommends that patients regularly review their medication with their physician to ensure that their medication plan continues to be appropriate for their conditions and needs. A GP or pharmacist should be consulted if a patient is considering stopping a course of prescribed medication.