A scheme in which community pharmacists are paid to provide selected patients' medicines in monitored dosage systems has been launched in west London. The scheme has been developed in partnership between Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster local pharmaceutical committee, Parkside Health and Westway primary care group.
Participating pharmacists are to be paid £300 per patient per year, and will be expected to provide and fill the monitored dosage systems on a monthly basis. The district nursing team retains responsibility for assessing patients, though referrals can be made from any source. Pharmacists are not expected to deliver medicines.
A total of £65,000 has been set aside for 12 months by the PCG and trust, and funding will continue if the scheme proves successful. Parkside Trust will be responsible for administration of the scheme, including registration on to the scheme, maintenance of a database and processing of payments for pharmacists.
Initially, 11 of the 39 pharmacies in the area are participating, though the LPC hopes that more pharmacies will come on board. The LPC has put bids for similar service developments to the other two PCGs within the area and is hopeful of positive responses.
The LPC secretary, Mr Tony Carson, believes that the scheme fits perfectly with the proposal announced in the National Health Service national plan "that PCGs and PCTs should have in place schemes so that people get more help from pharmacists in using their medicines". In addition, he says, the scheme was developed in true partnership and is a good example of how PCGs, trusts and LPCs can work together.

Participating pharmacies will receive £300 per patient per year for providing monitored dosage systems on a monthly basis