Thousands more people could be offered drugs to prevent bone fractures because of osteoporosis

NICE has published new guidance on the use of drugs called bisphosphonates for preventing bone fractures in people at increased risk. The new guidance links a person’s risk of having a bone fracture with the point at which treatment should be started, based on cost effectiveness. It recommends treatment with oral bisphosphonate drugs alendronic acid, ibandronic acid and risedronate sodium as options for people who have at least a 1% risk of a bone fracture within the next 10 years. The new guidance also recommends the injected bisphosphonates ibandronic acid and zoledronic acid for people who have at least a