Are you sure you are taking your medication right? (From Warrington Guardian)

Are you sure you are taking your medication right?

HEALTH bosses in Warrington are urging people to ask about their medicines as part of a major national campaign to help patients better understand their medication.

Around seven out of 10 people take medicines at any given time but many are not taking them as prescribed and, according to research, only around half those prescribed medicines say they know enough about other possible choices of treatment.

Lis Bennett, head of medicines management at Warrington Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "We are urging people to ask their GP, nurse or pharmacist about their medicines and take an active role in decisions about different treatment options. Many people don't realise they can ask questions about their medication. By asking questions patients can ensure they are getting the right medication and are taking it correctly."

The campaign also aims to promote the availability of good information to enable patients and carers to make decisions and support healthy professionals in helping people make choices.

As part of the campaign, medicines experts from Warrington PCT will be manning a stall in the Golden Square Shopping Centre this Thursday, November 4. As well as advice about medicines, people could also win a family ticket to a Wolves match if they correctly guess the price of medicines on display.

Ask About Medicines Week (AAMW) runs from November 1 until 6.

For more information about their medicines people should call NHS Direct - a 24 hour health advice line - on 0845 4647 or log onto www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk