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Letters to the Editor
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Medicines use review
More chance of funding from a message in a bottle
From Dr E. K. Rosenbloom, MRPharmS
I write on behalf of Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire local pharmaceutical
committees, which would like to highlight the needs of those who care for
and support vulnerable people.
Parents and carers who manage complex medicines regimens for vulnerable
people (specifically those with cognitive disabilities) are unable to access
the support that could be offered as part of a medicines use review (MUR)
and support service.
The development of new services, including MURs has been welcomed by LPCs.
However, they think there should now be a review of the current service
specification and regulations which they believe limits the delivery of
the MUR service.
The issues associated with obtaining consent and providing medicines support
for vulnerable people are complex, and need to be addressed with urgency.
It is a great shame that the MUR advance services specification and the
associated regulations seem to reinforce the inverse care law,1 thereby
making people who most need support unable to access it.
In order to address this dilemma locally we are attempting to develop an
enhanced service for vulnerable people. However, working with our peers
in primary care organisations we find ourselves in yet another financial
crisis caused by NHS underfunding and yet another period of NHS reorganisation
and instability. In an ideal world our proposed enhanced service, which
we are seeking to be commissioned, should be presented to practice-based
commissioning boards.
In reality, the chances of getting funding would be greater if we were
to write a message in a bottle and throw it into the English Channel. At
least then the message might be found on the shores of a tropical island
by a holidaying, socially responsible tycoon who could fund this service.
Karen Rosenbloom
Executive Officer
Bedfordshire LPC
Reference
1. Hart JT. The inverse care law. Lancet 1971;i:405–12. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal