Medicines safety

The National Medicines Safety Improvement Programme (MedSIP) aims to address the most important causes of severe harm associated with medicines, that continue to challenge the health and care systems in England. Our team are working closely with ICSs and stakeholders to deliver meaningful change.

Psychotropic medicines and learning disabilities

There are about 1.3 million people with a learning disability in England(1). Approximately 14% of people with a learning disability are prescribed antipsychotic medicines compared to 1% of people without a learning disability(2). Psychotropic medications include antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics (benzodiazepines), anti-seizure medication (antiepileptics), sedatives (including hypnotics) and stimulants. They affect the working of the brain and impact on a person’s mood, thoughts, perceptions and behaviour. These medications can often have side-effects and can also affect a person’s quality of life, so should only be used if there is a clear clinical indication.

The current focus of the MedSIP programme is on reducing harm from psychotropics used for behaviour that challenges, in people with a learning disability. Key principles include providing proactive, person-centred care for individuals who display behaviours that challenge, focusing on reducing the overuse of psychotropic medications through non-pharmacological approaches and shared decision-making. It relies on coordinated, multi-agency system-working to balance immediate needs with long-term wellbeing, ensuring holistic and accessible support across the care pathway.

1. Mencap. How common is learning disability in the UK? : Mencap;  [Available from: https://www.mencap.org.uk/learning-disability-explained/research-and-statistics/how-common-learning-disability.
2. England N. Health and Care of People with Learning Disabilities, Experimental Statistics 2022 to 2023: NHS England; 2023 [Available from: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/health-and-care-of-people-with-learning-disabilities/experimental-statistics-2022-to-2023.