The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 272 No 7291 p343
20 March 2004

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National Care Standards Commission
  The management of medication in care services 2002–03 (PDF 700K)

Pharmacists should do more in care homes

Greater involvement of pharmacists in the management of medicines in registered care homes has been called for by the National Care Standards Commission.

In a report, the commission says that more than half of all care homes fail to meet national minimum standards for handling medicines. One in 10 does not even begin to meet the standard. The report says that community pharmacists have an important part to play in helping care homes with medication. “Their more frequent and regular involvement would be welcomed by the sector as a whole. ... We recommend that care providers and other agencies should consider the future role and involvement of pharmacists in medicines management issues.”

The report is available as a PDF file (700K) and will be covered in greater detail in The Journal next week.

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