Medicines Management
Issue no 3, p1-4
May/June 2002

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Prescription volumes rise in wake of pharmacy-led BP monitoring scheme

Prescription volumes have risen 16 per cent at an innovative community pharmacy that is offering a blood pressure monitoring service to its customers.

The Primary Care Pharmacy in Tamworth, Staffordshire, introduced a blood pressure monitoring service for customers that allows them to take as many readings as they like at home, and then send the data to a pharmacist over the telephone without the need for a modem.

Pharmacist Andrew Burr, owner of the Primary Care Pharmacy and chief executive of Primary Care Group PLC, the company that developed the blood pressure monitoring system, said it showed how pharmacists could benefit from introducing medicines management services.

"When we introduced this blood pressure solution in Tamworth the pharmacy experienced a 16 per cent increase in prescription volumes. Patients are coming to the pharmacy because of this service," he said. Mr Burr added that it showed that if pharmacists were prepared to invest time in medicines management services, it could pay dividends.

The blood pressure monitor is a UA 767 that has been specially adapted to allow data to be sent over the telephone. Patients can store up to 20 readings at a time, and send them to a pharmacist by dialing a free phone number. A report is then be sent to their GP by the pharmacist.