Denmark’s Minister of Health urges hospitals to prepare for scrutiny over dementia medication prescriptions

Hospitals and general practitioners are being advised to prepare for increased scrutiny regarding the prescription of antipsychotic medication for individuals with dementia. This comes from Denmark’s Minister of Health and Interior Affairs, Sophie Løhde, who acknowledges that significant progress is still needed to meet the goals set in 2016 regarding dementia care. One primary goal was to halve the use of antipsychotic medications among dementia patients, a target that remains elusive.

Data shows that in 2016, 20.2% of dementia patients received antipsychotic prescriptions, while in 2023, the figure decreased slightly to 19.5%. Løhde emphasizes that the current levels are still too high, given the aim to avoid antipsychotic treatment for these individuals altogether.

The national action plan outlines three objectives to improve dementia care by 2025: achieving 98 dementia-friendly municipalities, ensuring more people with dementia receive proper assessments with 80% receiving specific diagnoses, and reducing the use of antipsychotic medications by 50%.

Løhde highlights the need for stronger monitoring of prescribing patterns to comply with health guidelines that recommend avoiding such medications unless absolutely necessary. Furthermore, physicians and nursing staff at care facilities often feel overwhelmed in crisis situations, leading to increased medication use, an aspect reflected by practitioner Thomas Gorlén.

Several care homes have successfully lowered their use of antipsychotic medication, providing a model for others. Løhde stresses the importance of maintaining focus on this issue, as reliance on medication can severely impact the quality of life for dementia patients.