The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7208 p141
27 July 2002

Welsh strategy for older people should recognise pharmacists' role

Government strategy for older people in Wales needs a greater recognition of pharmacists' potential contribution, says a response by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Welsh Executive to a report from the Advisory Group on a Strategy for Older People in Wales.

While generally welcoming the report's proposals, the executive says that more attention should be given to the role of pharmacy in supporting the effective use of medicines and, more generally, in improving the health and well-being of older people.

The executive says that pharmacy could make a substantial contribution to the agenda in several areas. Rational development of the pharmacy network would support health care access for excluded communities. Integrating pharmacy within the wider primary care community would allow better use of both pharmacists and their premises. Developing medicines management in hospitals and the community would benefit both patients and carers, as would better communication between primary and secondary care on admission and discharge arrangements. Finally, the Welsh Executive offers to help in the development of the national service framework for older people in Wales.