The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 264 No 7091 p531
April 8, 2000 News

Pharmacists critical for the success of NICE

Interaction between pharmacists and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is critical for the success of the institute. So said Professor Sir Michael Rawlins (chairman, NICE) at a meeting of the All-Party Pharmacy Group at the House of Commons on April 4. Sir Michael said that there were many areas in which pharmacists could help the institute. One was agenda setting. Sir Michael explained that he was not entirely happy with the present arrangements. Both community and hospital pharmacists had a real role in telling the institute what it should be looking at, he said. Pharmacists should also have a greater role than hitherto in judging clinical- and cost-effectiveness. These were far too important matters to be left to health economists.

At the House of Commons (left to Right) Howard Stoate, MP (chairman, APD), Jenny Tongue, MP (vice chairman, APG) Veronica Wray (head of public affairs, National Pharmaceutical Association) and Sir Micheal

Sir Michael added that the profession had a major role in the development and implementation of clinical audit and in the implementation of NICE guidelines. It also had a potentially important role in the production, dissemination and implementation of information for patients and the public.
The NICE would produce guidelines that were directed towards pharmacy practice. It was necessary to encourage extension of the role of pharmacists, particularly community pharmacists, in initiating treatment, such as emergency hormonal contraception, and in monitoring treatment, such as anticoagulation.
Other ways in which Sir Michael said pharmacists could help achieve clinical excellence included helping other health professionals use medicines more effectively and enabling patients to manage their illnesses better. In this regard, he said that pharmacists should welcome P-to-GSL changes and not throw up their hands in horror. Such changes were in the interest of consumers and enabled them to take a hand in their own treatment.