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Research

	Towards a Healthier Britain 2010 This report, commissioned by PAGB and authored by Dr Pamela Mason and Dr Carrie Ruxton, provides an analysis of the nation’s nutritional intake. It is an update of 2008's Towards a Healthier Britain report using the latest scientific evidence from dietary surveys. The report finds that nutrient intakes have improved very little in the past decade and a substantial number of British adults and children are at risk of nutrient deficiency. It goes on to explore the role of supplementation and suggests ways to improve how nutritional advice is presented to the public. To download it click here
	The Changing Landscape: A multi-country study undertaken for AESGP The Nielsen Company partnered the Association of the European Self-medication Industry (AESGP) in this global research project. Part of the research followed up on some of the questions from 2008 while the other questions examined the impact of the economic crisis on consumer behaviour concerning self-medication. These slides have been edited to just include the findings from Europe. However, if you would like to see the full global data please contact Claire Weaver To download it click here
	Making the case for the self care of minor ailments The findings of research commissioned by PAGB and conducted by TNS. To download it click here
	Pharmacists' perceptions of POM to P switches New research surveying pharmacists’ perceptions of POM P switches, reveals that the majority of pharmacists believe POM to P switches bring added value to the profession, allowing the provision of quality products to patients and simultaneously empower the pharmacist. The survey, commissioned by PAGB and conducted by Health Attitudes Direct, also found that the main drivers for pharmacists recommending a POM to P switch over existing products were that the product offered a therapeutic advance (90%), belief in the product (70%) and their own experience of using the product (55%). To download the poster that shows the findings click here
	Towards a Healthier Britain: The Potential Role of Food Supplements in Government Policy This report, commissioned by PAGB, is a response to the Cabinet Office publication, ‘Food Matters: Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century’ which sets out the government’s vision for food policy and considers the impact of nutrition on the health of the UK’s population. The government recognises that people’s diets need to change and that if they ‘met nutritional guidelines, 70,000 premature deaths could be prevented each year’. But is the nation meeting these dietary recommendations? In the report, nutrition expert, Dr Pamela Mason, provides an analysis of the nation’s nutritional intake and discusses the potential role for food supplements, particularly vitamins and minerals, and identifies the nutritional gap that currently exists. To download it click here
	Minor ailment workload in General Practice In 2008, PAGB revealed the findings of the first study to provide quantification of minor ailment workload in General Practice. The survey, commissioned by PAGB and conducted by IMS, found that the treatment of minor ailments accounts for 18-20% of GP workload, incurring a significant cost of around £2 billion a year to the NHS. A huge 57 million consultations are for minor ailments (51.4 million of which are for minor ailments alone), resulting in over an hour a day for every GP and 52 million prescriptions. Andy Tisman from IMS Health summarises the key findings of the study in an article from PAGB's 2008 Annual Review. To download the article click here
	How to drive growth in self care: A multi-country study undertaken for AESGP The Nielsen Company partnered the Association of the European Self-medication Industry (AESGP) in this global research project. The objective was to better understand consumer attitudes towards key aspects of self care: Willingness to self-medicate when feeling the onset of a minor ailment Barriers to routine self-medication when feeling the onset of a minor ailment Factors influencing product choice of non-prescription medicines From what sources are consumers expecting to get information in the future to help them take care of their health and minor ailments To what extent do consumers agree or disagree with the concept of more prescription medicines being available without doctor involvement To download it click here
	Self Care Aware: Joining Up Self Care in the NHS What is the community impact of a coordinated approach to self care? The outcome of an action research project in Erewash PCT JUSC is a strategy to improve the interface between primary care and the community. This will ensure that service demand is efficiently managed, actively supporting the individual’s own ability to combine self care, when possible, with primary care, when needed. Joining Up Self Care in Erewash centred on three disease-related modules: Prevention of coronary heart disease in people aged over 30 year Long term condition management by adults with asthma Treatment of minor ailments by mothers with young families The PCT also made concerted efforts to engage with healthcare professionals, including providing bespoke self care aware consultation training. These activities culminated in the introduction of a GP Local Enhanced Service promoting self care. The study found an increase in the reduction of risk factors in CHD, confidence levels in managing asthma and mothers’ willingness to self treat many children’s minor ailments as well as a more positive attitude towards self care among health professionals and PCT managers. Download the report here: JUSC Summary Report JUSC Full Report JUSC Annexes JUSC Summary by WiPP (The Working in Partnership Programme)
	A Picture of Health This report summarises a national consumer survey, carried out by independent research organisation NOP World in May 2005, into people’s experience of everyday ailments and health conditions – such as colds, headaches, allergies, indigestion and muscle aches – and how they deal with them. The findings offer a fascinating insight into how we manage our everyday health and, in particular, show our strong preference for looking after ourselves as far as we can. The study was commissioned jointly by PAGB and Reader’s Digest in order to gain an up-to-date, objective picture of how we approach everyday health matters. To download the summary click here
	A Summary Profile of the OTC Consumer PAGB has developed a summary profile of the OTC consumer and how they manage their health, their attitudes and actions taken. Most of the data is quantitative, and a short commentary is provided to highlight key points. Key data comes from BMRB, Mintel, Kings Fund and Prism (Reader’s Digest) research reports, although several others are also referenced. To download the summary click here
	Everyday Healthcare Study 1997: A Consumer Study of Self-medication in Great Britain In 1986, PAGB commissioned the British Market Research Bureau to conduct the first national survey of everyday healthcare in Britain. Ten years later, changes in the healthcare environment and market meant that there was a need for the 1986 research to be updated. In 1996/97 the study was repeated using the same methodology. Together these studies show how people in Britain view their health, their sources of advice and information and how they treat minor ailments. What does the study show? The Everyday Healthcare Study shows that the British public are sensible and cautious in their use of medicines. We are not a pill for every ill society With the right advice and help people are confident that they can manage minor ailments themselves and they do so. People value the availability of over the counter medicines People find OTC medicines effective and they tend to use the same product each time they experience the same illness. The doctor is still the most important advisor and health care influence Many people are visiting doctors for advice and treatment of ailments that they could manage themselves For more information click here