To investigate the influence of attitudes of carers of people with intellectual disability (ID) towards giving medication. Ninety-three carers of service users who are currently attending outpatients clinic (Harrow Learning Disability service) were interviewed, using the RAMS (Rating of Attitude to Medication Scale) interview schedule. A significant association was found between relationship of the carer to the service user and overall positive or negative attitude towards medication, with a disproportionate number of parents expressing a negative attitude in comparison with professional carers (46% vs. 11%). This study suggests more work needs to be done with family carers than with professional carers to improve compliance with medication. Stigma is still associated with ID and psychiatric disorders. The family carers responses may be projecting their feelings related to the impact of having a child not only with ID, but also with additional psychiatric problems. The implication of the study for psychiatrists is the identification of a number of areas that could be usefully explored before writing a prescription.