PJ Online | Medicines Management bulletin (July/August 2002)

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Medicines Management
Issue no 4, p3
July/August 2002

Comment

Medication review and improving the efficiency of repeat prescribing are likely to be challenges facing primary care this autumn. They play a key part in the drive to raised standards of care for the elderly. In the past, these have been the sole responsibility of GPs, but following the publication of the NSF for Older People, they are increasingly the province of pharmacy.

As the news story on p1 reveals, health care professionals should not be concerned so much about the process of medication review per se, but rather concentrate their efforts on patients who are most likely to benefit. For example, reviewing the medications of older patients prescribed upwards of six medicines is probably a better place to start than worrying about all patients who are prescribed at least four.

On p9 we describe a pilot scheme in Exeter, where GP practice and a pharmacy work closely together. Because they are in the same place, and the pharmacist has access to the medications records of selected patients it has been possible to remove receptionists and GPs from the loop of repeat dispensing and, at the same time, give the pharmacist the opportunity to review their medicines.

If this is the first copy of Medicines Management you have seen and would like to join the mailing list, please send your details to medicinesmanagement@rpsgb.org.uk. Free copies are available for all pharmacists (please include your registration number) and for nurses and doctors with a professional interest in medicines management.