Few opportunities for pharmacists in GMS contract
GPs' practice could be influenced by prescribing guidance |
Few tangible opportunities for pharmacists exist within the revised
general medical services (GMS) contract for 2006–07, which came into effect this week.
The new GMS contract includes additional clinical areas that will be
included in the quality and outcomes framework (QOF) incentive scheme,
such as dementia, depression, chronic kidney disease, atrial fibrillation,
obesity and learning disabilities.
Sue Carter, head of prescribing and pharmacy at Adur, Arun & Worthing
Teaching Primary Care Trust, said that although there may not be many
directly remunerable opportunities for pharmacists, community pharmacists
and PCT pharmacists may be able to use their knowledge of medicines to
influence and build relationships with GPs by helping them meet their
QOF aims.
“If pharmacists show that they are aware of the GMS contract and
can contribute in some way to its implementation, then there may be opportunities
for
pharmacy that come out of it,” explained Mrs Carter.
Good news for pharmacists is that the GMS contract now includes guidance
on performing medication reviews. Mrs Carter said that for two years
GPs have had medication review as part of their contract but without
any formal guidance on how those reviews should be done. “For the
first time, GPs are being shown in the GMS guidance all aspects of a
medication review,” she said.
It is expected that at least a level 2 medication review will occur,
which is undertaken in a systematic way by a competent person. “Pharmacists
have very good skills in this area and therefore [there are] good opportunities,” said
Mrs Carter.
Guidance on excessive or inappropriate prescribing has also been published,
which could have implications for pharmacists who are prescribers or
are working with prescribers. “Community pharmacists or PCT pharmacists
can use this guidance in a constructive, positive way to help influence
prescribing,” Mrs Carter said. “It gives added substance
to what is already happening.” |
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