Osteoporosis Patients Navigate Prescription "Wild West" in Australia

The prescription habits for osteoporosis medications have been labeled as a 'wild west,' potentially leading to tens of thousands of unnecessary fatalities annually.

The report released by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Osteoporosis and Bone Health – encompassing MPs, lords, and healthcare professionals – revealed that over sixty percent of individuals suffering from the fragile bone disorder faced difficulties obtaining their prescribed medications.

Specialists indicate that there is a 'lottery based on postal codes' due to insufficient awareness among numerous general practitioners regarding newer medications.

"Clearly, patients are not receiving adequate care," asserts Louise Statham, a clinical pharmacist from the University of Sunderland.

'Individuals deserve uniform prescription practices, ensuring their location does not affect their medical care.'

Over 3.5 million people in the UK suffer from osteoporosis – approximately sixty percent of these individuals are women. A significant number remain unaware they have this condition until they experience a fracture.

This condition makes bones extremely brittle, sometimes leading to fractures from simple actions like coughing or sneezing. It accounts for about fifty percent of cases among women and one out of every five instances in men over 50 who experience breaks, typically affecting the spine or hip area.

Janice McKingley, aged 71 and originally from Leeds, received an osteoporosis diagnosis approximately seven years ago. During her initial treatments, she was provided with a specialized medication known as zoledronate aimed at enhancing her bone density. Nevertheless, two years back, after relocating to Dorset, she learned that she could no longer access this drug due to her changed eligibility status.

Following that, imaging tests indicate her skeletal structure has become more fragile.

The grandmother expresses her constant worry about experiencing a fracture," she states. "The fear of this looming threat is overwhelming, yet I am unsure of alternative actions.

Osteoporosis-related preventable fractures reportedly cost the NHS around £4.5 billion annually, with hip fracture patients occupying approximately one million hospital beds each year.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society suggests that approximately 2,500 people succumb annually due to the severe consequences of avoidable hip fractures.

The critical report from the APPG revealed that 1.4 million women who qualify for romosozumab, a medication known as a 'bone builder,' are not receiving this treatment.

cannot reach it, putting them at high risk of fractures.

The most frequent use of this injection is for postmenopausal women who have low bone density.

Women likewise encounter obstacles when trying to access an additional bone-strengthening medication called denosumab. With 1.2 million individuals needing to await specialist consultations, they must do so even though this treatment can be obtained through a general practitioner.

Studies indicate that the availability of these medications can differ dramatically based on the location within the country where patients receive treatment.

In one instance, an individual in Brighton might obtain denosumab via their general practitioner, whereas another person residing merely 20 miles away in Eastbourne must await a consultation with a specialist. This disparity in healthcare accessibility due to location predominantly impacts individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, even though they face a higher risk of experiencing severe bone breaks.

The Royal Osteoporosis Society reports that out of the 14,000 calls received annually by their specialist nurse helpline, approximately 80 percent come from individuals experiencing significant uncertainty regarding their treatment choices.

"This report indicates that the use of bone medications within the NHS resembles a Wild West scenario, potentially putting lives at risk," states Craig Jones, CEO of the Royal Osteoporosis Society.

The disorganized mix of prescription methods throughout the UK is depriving tens of thousands of individuals the medications they urgently require.

Following the launch of The Mail on Sunday’s War on Osteoporosis campaign last year, which called for the government to establish clinics aimed at detecting early signs of osteoporosis, this report has been published.

These clinics, known as fracture liaison services, are present in only half of the hospitals in the UK.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting vowed during the previous year’s general election campaign that establishing fracture liaison services across the country would be among his top priorities once in office. However, he has since stated that this initiative will not be completed until 2030.

Sonia Kumar, the Member of Parliament for Dudley and a past NHS physiotherapist, stated: "By providing widespread early detection programs along with equitable access to bone-strengthening medications, we have the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life for millions of individuals suffering from osteoporosis throughout the United Kingdom."