Hospital Pharmacist
2007;14:361
December 2007

News summary

Role of hospital pharmacists during pandemic flu updated

In the case of an influenza pandemic, an extension of medicines management services in hospitals may be necessary to ensure continuity of care, according to new Government guidance on preparing acute hospitals in England.

Hospital pharmacies may consider identifying opportunities for pharmacists to assume responsibilities (eg, discharge prescribing) normally undertaken by other staff, or the potential for specialist clinical pharmacists to support doctors outside hospitals.

Pharmacists may need to advise on therapeutic substitution if certain drugs become unavailable, and manage supply problems.

The guidance notes that different working practices will be needed, and skill mix should be maximised to enable pharmacists to concentrate on patients with complex medication problems.

Pharmacists will also be required to ensure appropriate use of patients’ own medicines, and facilitate timely discharge of patients with adequate supplies of medicines. The guidance replaces that issued in March 2007.

A national framework has also been published giving more broad guidance to public and private organisations, including details about the stockpiles of antiviral drugs. It says that trusts should have an influenza planning group that should include a pharmacy lead.

Other roles for pharmacy departments include the manufacture of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) solutions by pre-identified hospital pharmacy manufacturing units for use in children.