A new UNSW study has found that national initiatives were unsuccessful in reducing prolonged use of anti-acid medicines, and more targeted interventions are needed. Education campaigns to curb Australians’ widespread use of popular anti-acid medicines – linked to long-term health risks – have been insufficient, a new UNSW study published today in BMJ Quality & Safety has found. In 2017, an estimated 15 per cent of Australian adults took at least one proton pump inhibitor (PPI) medicine to manage gastrointestinal acid-related disorders, such as moderate to severe heartburn or acid reflux. Globally, PPI usage is estimated at seven to 16 per cent. First author Claudia Bruno, from UNSW Medicine’s Centre for Big Data Research in Health, said PPI medicines were appealing for doctors and patients to treat anti-acid conditions. However, prolonged use might lead to health problems, particularly for older people. “PPIs are safe in the short-term, effective and […]