Warning about excessive medication use and its adverse effects

A pharmacology expert warns about 'polymedication' and the more than 100,000 annual hospital admissions in Catalonia due to adverse effects.

Generic image of medications in pill organizers and packages on a table.
IA

Generic image of medications in pill organizers and packages on a table.

A renowned pharmacologist has warned about the risks of polymedication, highlighting that the excessive use of drugs leads to over 100,000 hospital admissions annually in Catalonia.

The expert in Pharmacology, son of an illustrious Reus native who served as a counselor for Health and Education in the Generalitat, has brought to light the problem of the "silent epidemic" represented by the excessive consumption of medications. To illustrate the situation, he shared a joke that reflects the tendency to expect a pharmacological solution even when it is not necessary.

"Out of every ten people, three take a drug for sleep or depression; two or three take omeprazole, and two take a medication for cholesterol."

a pharmacology expert
In Spain, medical professionals issue 1.1 billion prescriptions each year, a figure that underscores the magnitude of the problem. The adverse effects derived from this polymedication are a growing concern, as in Catalonia they are responsible for over 100,000 hospital admissions each year.
The presentation of the book La vida en directe (Life Live) at the Diputació de Lleida served as a platform for these reflections. During the event, a well-known journalist, diagnosed with Parkinson's, shared his personal experience, explaining how he has managed to significantly reduce the amount of prescribed drugs, while remaining intellectually and physically active.