The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7236 p250
15 February 2003

Society summary

Leaflet promotes pharmacists’ primary care role in Wales

A new leaflet, "Pharmacists' contribution to primary care in Wales", has been launched by the Welsh Executive of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Aimed at providing information to the emerging local health boards, the leaflet examines the way in which pharmacy fits into the agenda for improving health in Wales. As well as prioritising issues that are important at local level, such as the real value of the local contribution of pharmacy services and manpower availability, the leaflet also includes a range of case studies that illustrate the success of innovation in pharmacy services.

The four-page leaflet says that pharmacists are currently an untapped expertise resource for local health and social care services in Wales. It points out that pharmacists are an acceptable, trusted and accessible source of advice for a wide-ranging public. It adds that pharmacists have a proved contribution to primary care — among other things, by preventing unnecessary hospital admissions, improving patients' use of medicines and supporting other health professionals in medicines management.

The leaflet says that LHBs, National Health Service trusts and social services could do much more to make pharmacy expertise available as a professional resource

The Welsh Executive chairman, Andrea Robinson, said that the leaflet aims to achieve a greater understanding of the total contribution pharmacy can make to local services. "'Although there is a willingness within trusts, and the political health arena generally, to recognise the value of pharmacist's contribution in primary care, the full scope of pharmacy skills and expertise can still be overlooked by service providers."

The executive hopes that the leaflet will help LHB pharmacists increase understanding among their board counterparts. "LHB pharmacists are in a prime position to help their colleagues understand the full contribution that pharmacists can make to local health services," Mrs Robinson said. "It is in the interest of patient care that pharmacy expertise should be an intrinsic part of improving health in Wales."

The leaflet is available in both English and Welsh versions. It can be downloaded from the Welsh Executive section of the Society's website by clicking on "News" and selecting "Briefing papers". Those without internet access can obtain copies from the executive's office (tel 02920 412800; e-mail wales@rpsgb.org.uk).