Pharmacy Daily | Concerning rise in medical misinformation

MEDICAL misinformation and disinformation have increased over the past five years, leading to a decrease in patients taking medicines as prescribed and a rise in vaccine hesitancy.

A survey of 300 GPs, commissioned by Pfizer Australia, found that 97% are concerned about the growing influence of medical misinformation, having seen a shift in attitudes and behaviour among their patient community.

Among the findings were that 88% of GPs experienced an increase in patients requesting non-evidence-based treatments, 87% reported rising vaccine hesitancy and 79% reported an increase in patients not adhering to prescribed medication regimens due to misinformation and disinformation.

"We know that forgetfulness, cost, generally feeling better or being prescribed medicine for asymptomatic conditions can be reasons for patients not taking medicines," Dr Krishan Thiru, Medical Director at Pfizer ANZ, told Pharmacy Daily.

He explained patients may not understand the importance of adherence to prescribed medicines, what they are taking it for or why it is important for their health.

"It's certainly very concerning and emphasises the importance of patient education from pharmacists dispensing medicine, as well as from those prescribing medicine," Dr Thiru said.

Commenting on the broader survey findings, Dr Thiru said, "These findings confirm what we have suspected - that medical misinformation is on the rise, and it is influencing how people think and act in relation to their health and with their GP."

Pfizer is supporting further work with healthcare professionals to understand what they are hearing from patients and how patients' hesitation and concerns might be addressed.

To do this, Pfizer said it will partner with key stakeholders to discuss the survey findings and work together to identify solutions to support GPs and other healthcare professionals to address misinformation.

"Scientific knowledge saves lives," observed Dr Thiru. KB