Rodgers S, Avery AJ, Meechan D et al. Controlled trial of pharmacist intervention in general practice: the effect on prescribing costs. Br J Gen Pr 1999;49:417-20.
This is a study conducted by Doncaster health authority which concludes that pharmacists can control prescribing costs sufficiently to meet their own employment costs. Eight GP practices receiving pharmacist input for a year were compared with eight different practices, matched according to characteristics that might be expected to influence medicine expenditure. Prescribing data was used to assess the impact of the pharmacists with measures being taken to allow for differences in practice populations. Data was subjected to statistical analysis. This is a useful paper for anyone requiring data to persuade health authorities or GPs that pharmacists can provide the support practices need in order to review their prescribing.
What's in the medical press? - The rapidly changing situation in primary care means that it is often difficult to keep up to date with what is happening politically and clinically. This section of Primary Care Pharmacy will try to pick out a few articles that may be useful in day-to-day practice or have importance for the primary care role.