Study Shows Cost Effectiveness Of Self-Care Schemes In Community Pharmacies, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 03 Sep 2010 - 6:00 PDT

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A new study, to be presented at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's annual conference 5-6 September 2010, shows that treating minor ailments such as coughs, colds and indigestion in community pharmacies rather than GP surgeries is a very cost effective use of NHS resources.

Around 57 million GP consultations take place every year for minor ailments at an estimated cost of £2 million1.

Dr Wasim Baqir, Dr Adam Todd and Dr Tristan Learoyd who led the research for University of Sunderland School of Pharmacy said: "Pharmacy-based minor ailment schemes are commissioned by local primary care trusts and cover a defined range of minor health problems. They enable patients who are exempt from NHS prescription charges to receive free treatment and advice from their local pharmacy."

The research followed the launch of the Think Pharmacy First campaign in April 2009 across pharmacies in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. The campaign was created and commissioned by NHS North of Tyne to offer eligible patients greater choice utilising the skills of pharmacists to help free up GP's time.

The research was commissioned by NHS North of Tyne to evaluate the campaign and asked patients what they would have done if the minor ailments scheme was not in place. When asked, 58% said they would have gone to their GP had the scheme not existed, whilst 39% would have bought the necessary medicine from the pharmacy. Around 0.25% would have gone to see their health visitor and 0.5% would have attended the A&E department at their local hospital.

Using standard GP and A&E costs of £36 and £111 per consultation respectively, it was estimated the scheme saved over £7,000 per month across NHS North of Tyne.

Neal Patel, spokesperson for the Royal Pharmaceutical Society said: "Pharmacists and doctors need to work together to make sure patients get access to healthcare in the most appropriate way.

"Many of the consultations for minor ailments currently taking place in GP surgeries could easily be managed within community pharmacy.

"We'd like to see more minor ailments services commissioned by primary care trusts through community pharmacies. Pharmacists can then support patients to improve their self-care, use their clinical skills to greater effect and free up GPs to focus on more complex cases. It's a win-win situation."

Ann Gunning, community pharmacy contracts manager at NHS North of Tyne, working on behalf of Newcastle and North Tyneside Primary Care Trusts and Northumberland Care Trust, said: "We are delighted with the campaign which brings together our NHS colleagues including pharmacists and GPs to help those patients who qualify for free prescriptions to have greater choice and better access to treatment for minor ailments.

"Think Pharmacy First is using the skills and knowledge of pharmacists to provide the right treatment for patients at the right time, in a place which is convenient to them in the heart of their local community.

"It does all this as well as making best use of NHS resources for the public purse."

1 Source: IMS Health Dec. 2007 study, commissioned by PAGB

Notes

The Society's annual conference - 'Supporting patient and professional decision making' will be held at Imperial College, London SW7 2AZ on Sunday 5 and Monday 6 September see here.

Source:
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB)

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