Many patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis (UC) are not being managed adequately in primary care, according to a new independent clinical review.

The study, conducted by a team of independent pharmacists and carried out across 31 GP practices within the South Worcestershire CCG, revealed that around one-third of patients may not be receiving adequate medication and nearly one in three are struggling with multiple dosing medication, even though a ‘once daily’ effective alternative is available.

This lack of adequate management was found to result in increased disease activity, extra medication, GP and hospital visits, time off work and cost to the NHS.

The review also showed that patients who were switched to the ‘once daily’ oral medication of Salofalk Granules containing mesalzine, had 86 per cent less hospital visits, 69 per cent fewer days off work and a reduction of 50 per cent in their disease activity over a six month period, leading increased quality of life and reduced NHS costs.

Dr David Farmer, GP and clinical lead, NHS South Worcestershire CCG, said: ‘This review demonstrates that there is something we can do to make a real improvement in the lives of people who suffer from UC.”