Australia's health watchdog discovers overprescribed psychotropic medication revelation
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In an era where medical advancements have significantly improved our quality of life, it's crucial to remember that medication, while beneficial, can also come with risks—especially when it comes to the delicate balance of mental health treatment.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has recently raised a red flag, warning that patients, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism, dementia, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, are being overprescribed psychotropic medications.
The story of Glenda Parkin, a former school principal from Perth diagnosed with younger-onset dementia, is a heart-wrenching example of the potential consequences of such overprescription.
Despite the challenges of her condition, Glenda led a fulfilling life, travelling with her husband, Bronte, and engaging in her passion for music.
However, her quality of life deteriorated after being prescribed quetiapine, an antipsychotic, to manage her changing behaviour and sleeplessness.
This medication, along with a sedative she was already taking, led to severe side effects, including a fall that fractured her pelvic bones and ultimately resulted in her inability to walk.
‘It was only in the hospital we found out that the leg movements were caused by the medicines,’ Bronte said.
The hospital psychiatrist suggested gradually stopping both medications.
Even though Glenda's pelvic bones healed over time, she never recovered the ability to walk. This made it difficult for Bronte to take care of her at home.
Glenda had to stay in an aged care facility, where she spent the first six months confined to bed all day because moving her into a nursing chair was too dangerous. She stayed there until she passed away in 2023.
Glenda's tragic experience is not an isolated incident.
The Commission's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Carolyn Hullick, has pointed out that while psychotropic medicines are often used to manage behavioural issues, there is limited evidence of their effectiveness in people with cognitive disabilities.
Moreover, these drugs are known to increase the risk of falls, stroke, and even death.
In response to these concerns, a new national standard will be released, emphasising the need for health professionals to prioritise non-medication options before resorting to psychotropic drugs.
This standard is a direct outcome of findings from royal commissions into disability and aged care, highlighting that ‘there was a fundamental problem with the way we were using medication to restrict people and to control their behaviour, rather than using the medications appropriately for management of symptoms and disease’.
‘Whether you’re a child or whether you are a 95-year-old, the principles should be the same,’ Hullick said.
The new guidelines emphasised that health professionals must develop individually tailored non-medication interventions and only consider psychotropic medicines as a last resort.
When such medications are deemed necessary, patients and their carers must be provided with comprehensive information about their purpose, benefits, and risks.
Statistics reveal a 60 per cent increase in the prescription of psychotropic drugs to Australians over the past three decades.
About a third of people with intellectual disabilities and 61 per cent of new residents in aged care facilities are prescribed these medications within their first three months of residency.
Professor Eddy Strivens, a geriatrician, supports the new standard, emphasising the importance of understanding the reasons behind a patient's behaviour, which often indicates an unmet need rather than a symptom requiring medication.
It's heartbreaking to think of a mistake made in a medical setting proving fatal for a loved one, especially for a loving daughter watching helplessly as her mother’s health deteriorates.
In a previous story, Lisa Carratelli shared that her mother's health severely deteriorated due to a mistake by a pharmacist who had been providing her medication. You can read more about the story here.
Members, always double-check your medication and dosage when you receive it, and don't hesitate to ask questions from your GP if something doesn't seem right. Remember, it's your health on the line, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.
Have you or someone you know been affected by the overprescription of psychotropic medications? How do you ensure that you're receiving the most appropriate care? Let us know in the comments below.
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has recently raised a red flag, warning that patients, including those with intellectual disabilities, autism, dementia, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, are being overprescribed psychotropic medications.
The story of Glenda Parkin, a former school principal from Perth diagnosed with younger-onset dementia, is a heart-wrenching example of the potential consequences of such overprescription.
Despite the challenges of her condition, Glenda led a fulfilling life, travelling with her husband, Bronte, and engaging in her passion for music.
Australia’s health watchdog warned patients are being on overprescribed psychotropic medication. Credit: Shutterstock
However, her quality of life deteriorated after being prescribed quetiapine, an antipsychotic, to manage her changing behaviour and sleeplessness.
This medication, along with a sedative she was already taking, led to severe side effects, including a fall that fractured her pelvic bones and ultimately resulted in her inability to walk.
‘It was only in the hospital we found out that the leg movements were caused by the medicines,’ Bronte said.
The hospital psychiatrist suggested gradually stopping both medications.
Even though Glenda's pelvic bones healed over time, she never recovered the ability to walk. This made it difficult for Bronte to take care of her at home.
Glenda had to stay in an aged care facility, where she spent the first six months confined to bed all day because moving her into a nursing chair was too dangerous. She stayed there until she passed away in 2023.
Glenda's tragic experience is not an isolated incident.
The Commission's Chief Medical Officer, Dr Carolyn Hullick, has pointed out that while psychotropic medicines are often used to manage behavioural issues, there is limited evidence of their effectiveness in people with cognitive disabilities.
Moreover, these drugs are known to increase the risk of falls, stroke, and even death.
In response to these concerns, a new national standard will be released, emphasising the need for health professionals to prioritise non-medication options before resorting to psychotropic drugs.
This standard is a direct outcome of findings from royal commissions into disability and aged care, highlighting that ‘there was a fundamental problem with the way we were using medication to restrict people and to control their behaviour, rather than using the medications appropriately for management of symptoms and disease’.
‘Whether you’re a child or whether you are a 95-year-old, the principles should be the same,’ Hullick said.
The new guidelines emphasised that health professionals must develop individually tailored non-medication interventions and only consider psychotropic medicines as a last resort.
When such medications are deemed necessary, patients and their carers must be provided with comprehensive information about their purpose, benefits, and risks.
Statistics reveal a 60 per cent increase in the prescription of psychotropic drugs to Australians over the past three decades.
About a third of people with intellectual disabilities and 61 per cent of new residents in aged care facilities are prescribed these medications within their first three months of residency.
Professor Eddy Strivens, a geriatrician, supports the new standard, emphasising the importance of understanding the reasons behind a patient's behaviour, which often indicates an unmet need rather than a symptom requiring medication.
It's heartbreaking to think of a mistake made in a medical setting proving fatal for a loved one, especially for a loving daughter watching helplessly as her mother’s health deteriorates.
In a previous story, Lisa Carratelli shared that her mother's health severely deteriorated due to a mistake by a pharmacist who had been providing her medication. You can read more about the story here.
Have you or someone you know been affected by the overprescription of psychotropic medications? How do you ensure that you're receiving the most appropriate care? Let us know in the comments below.
