Society Urges PCOS To Improve Commissioning On Medicines Adherence, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 21 Jan 2010 - 2:00 PDT

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At the All-Party Pharmacy Group meeting yesterday the Royal Pharmaceutical Society urged Primary Care Organisation (PCO) commissioners to increase the number of enhanced pharmacy services provided to address the issue of poor medicines adherence by patients.

Between 30-50% of medicines may not be taken as intended*, which causes increased ill-health, hospitalisation and death, as well as being an ineffective use of NHS resources.

Speaking at the meeting, RPSGB Chief Executive Jeremy Holmes said:

"Pharmacists are ideally placed to support patients with information, advice and strategies to improve medicines adherence. However, few PCOs are commissioning community pharmacy enhanced services, despite their obligation to implement clinical guidance from NICE on adherence (Guideline 76).

"A real opportunity to both improve patient care and drive more efficient use of NHS resources will be missed, unless PCOs focus on medicines adherence by building on the Medicines Use Reviews service and commissioning more enhanced services in this area."

"The Society has commissioned an important briefing document for PCTs on providing medicine adherence services through pharmacies. This research-based report from Prof Alison Blenkinsopp of the University of Keele is nearing publication and the Society is committed to supporting the training and accreditation of pharmacists to provide the necessary services.

"At a time when finances are tight, pharmacists could make a real contribution to improving the effectiveness of NHS investment in medicines - but they can't do it without high quality commissioning."

Notes

*Nunes et al 2009. Clinical Guidelines and Evidence Review for Medicines Adherence: involving patients in decisions about prescribed medicines and supporting adherence. London: National Collaborating Centre for Primary Care and Royal College of General Practitioners.

Source
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

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