Are standard medicines falling short? 73% of UK adults are open to personalised alternatives

PATIENTS CALL FOR GREATER ACCESS TO PERSONALISED MEDICINES

  • Over a third of UK adults (36%) say standard GP-prescribed medicines often fail to meet their health needs, leaving healthcare professionals searching for better solutions.
  • 28% of patients feel resigned that their health conditions will remain unresolved in 2025, rising to 32% among those over 45.
  • 58% believe having the option between standard and personalised medicines is important, rising to 80% among Gen Z and 76% of millennials.
  • Roseway Labs is calling on GPs and healthcare professionals to recognise the potential of innovative personalised care options to ease pressure on the NHS and address growing patient needs and demands.

28th January 2025: New research reveals over a third (36%) of UK adults report that standard GP-prescribed medicines often fail to meet their health needs, leaving both patients and their healthcare providers searching for better solutions. The findings, released by Roseway Labs, a leading private compounding pharmacy specialising in personalised medicines, underscore the opportunity for personalised medicine to fill critical gaps in care.

Healthcare professionals on the front line see daily the challenges of overwhelmed GP services and mounting patient dissatisfaction with standardised treatment options; for patients, over a quarter (28%) feel resigned that 2025 won’t bring solutions for their health conditions.

The research from Roseway Labs underscores the potential of personalised medicine to tackle these pressing issues and highlights the growing demand for this choice. 73% of people expressed openness to using a pharmacy that personalises medicines and supplements to better address their health concerns. Whilst, compounded medicine is accessed through private care, it’s important to provide people who might need it with this choice.

Additionally, 58% believe having the option between standard and personalised medicines is important, rising to 80% among Gen Z and 76% of millennials. The demand for personalised care among younger generations is likely to grow as they age and encounter age-related conditions, highlighting the need for a step change now to ensure future healthcare options meet their evolving expectations.

The government’s cash incentive scheme highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions to alleviate growing GP and hospital waiting times.1 Compounding pharmacies like Roseway Labs can help ease this pressure by providing personalised treatments that address individual needs and reduce repeat GP visits caused by ineffective standard prescriptions. And at a time when the average 10-minute face-to-face GP consultation costs £56.2

For healthcare professionals unfamiliar with compounding or personalised medicine, safety is paramount. All processes comply with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) guidelines and the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, ensuring all compounds are made exclusively from valid UK prescriptions as a fully regulated pharmacy.

Skin conditions and allergies are good examples of where compounded medicines can help patients. Simply changing the medication’s form – from pill to liquid – or removing certain ingredients in the pill that are allergenic, can be the difference between a patient finding relief from an allergy or even being able to take their medication as prescribed.

Elizabeth Philp, CEO & Founder of Roseway Labs, commented: “A one-size-fits-all approach often fails to address the complexities of individual health needs, leaving many patients feeling despondent about their future. While regular prescriptions work well for some, others face challenges such as inadequate symptom relief, adverse effects, or difficulty adhering to treatment plans. Personalised medicine can complement NHS treatments and care, offering tailored solutions that empower patients and help them lead healthier lives.

Miriam Martinez Callejas, Superintendent Pharmacist & Founder of Roseway Labs, commented: “With an ageing population and growing demand for tailored care among Gen Z and millennials, personalised medicine provides an essential option for those whose needs aren’t met by standard treatments. Often likened to the Savile Row of medicine, compounded treatments offer custom dosages, formulations, and combination of ingredients, much like a tailored suit fits where off-the-rack clothing cannot. Our goal is to collaborate with GPs and healthcare professionals to make personalised medicine a key part of future healthcare innovations in the UK.”

Compounding pharmacies play a crucial role in addressing medication shortages by formulating alternative solutions when commercially available drugs are unavailable. They can create customised doses, help out in times of shortages, or offer equivalent treatments, ensuring patients have access to the care they need without interruption.

Roseway Labs is dedicated to advancing innovation in personalised care, empowering patients with bespoke treatments that address their unique health needs and improve their quality of life. By partnering with GPs and healthcare professionals, Roseway Labs wants to help make personalised medicine a viable option within the UK healthcare system, helping to ease the strain on the NHS.