Millions of patients are jeopardising their health by failing to follow advice from their doctors and pharmacists on taking their medicines, according to a study by Pharmacy Voice. A quarter of the 2,047 adults surveyed admitted to deliberately disregarding instructions about their prescription, while only a fifth always complete a course of medication. Twenty-five per cent believed that a course of treatment did not need to be followed rigidly for them to get better, while 45 per cent relied on what their body told them to decide when to stop taking their medicines.

However, by stopping treatment early, patients risk delaying their recovery, and in the case of antibiotics, making bugs more resistant. Other bad medicines habits highlighted by the research include taking more than the recommended dosage (one in 10 people); using out-of-date medicines (one in seven) and taking medicines prescribed to family or friends (one in 20).

“This research highlights that we have some way to go to help patients get the most from their prescribed medicines courses,” said Rob Darracott, Pharmacy Voice chief executive.