Slow initial uptake of MURs
Medicines use reviews (MURs) were slow to take off during the first year of the new community pharmacy contract, with the number provided representing less than 7 per cent of the maximum for which funding was allocated, according
to research published in The Journal this week (p218).
The study analysed data from a survey of pharmacy leads in a random sample
of 31 primary care organisations in England and Wales as well as telephone
interviews with pharmacy leads in the Welsh Assembly Government and in
over 90 per cent of strategic health authorities.
The results show that pharmacy multiple groups were the quickest to become
involved in providing the MUR service, undertaking over 80 per cent of
all MURs performed in the PCOs surveyed. Overall, 38 per cent of community
pharmacies claimed payment for providing MURs in the first year of the
service. This figure ranged from 13 per cent to 60 per cent of pharmacies
among the PCOs surveyed. There was a mean of 35.7 MURs conducted per
providing pharmacy — this varied widely among PCOs (range 8.3 to
61.2).
Alison Blenkinsopp, professor of pharmacy practice in the department
of medicines management at Keele University, and colleagues carried out
the research as part of the national evaluation of the pharmacy contract
commissioned by the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust. “MURs provide
an opportunity for community pharmacy to develop a service providing
direct care to patients. This will make better use of their skills and
knowledge and should develop relationships with GPs. Our results show
that MURs are working well in some places and that the number of pharmacists
accredited is encouraging so early in the life of the service,” Professor
Blenkinsopp commented. She added: “Most SHAs and PCOs involved
in the research viewed MURs as having considerable potential but the
research team concluded that further action is needed to support and
embed the service.”
Hemant Patel, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: “The
results of this report illustrate that although pharmacists are stepping
forward to develop their roles, more can be done to fully realise the
potential of MURs and the multidisciplinary relationships they promote.
Pharmacists need to be aware of the financial and strategic imperatives
in embracing MURs, and greater support is needed for pharmacists to take
forward this initiative.’’
Original paper p218
Article p224
News feature p213
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