Ageing population

As the population ages, so the prevalence of disease and long-term conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes and dementia grows. In particular there is a sharp rise in the number of people with co-morbidities, requiring more complex decision making in terms of treatment and medication. Pharmacists more frequently become the first point of care for patients and need to be able to integrate information in challenging cases and provide an accurate assessment of risk, particularly for patients with pre-existing interventions. Patients presenting with multiple pathologies also necessitate a more integrated approach between professions and organisations, particularly at the interface of primary and secondary care. Community practitioners experience soaring levels of demand in caring for and monitoring these patients as spending on pharmacy goods and services rises. Pharmacists are required to constantly support and reinforce the safe and effective use of medicines.

Proposed workforce impact

• Increased demand for highly skilled pharmacists.
• Increased training and education requirements.
• More multidisciplinary working and collaboration across the healthcare workforce.
• Pharmacists expected to deliver more transitional care in the community.

Sources or references

• http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171776_258607.pdf
• http://www.economist.com/topics/ageing-and-elderly
• http://www.psnc.org.uk/data/files/News_ article_documents/The_Future_of_Community_Pharmacy.pdf

Additional research questions

• How much will demand for services increase?
• Will technology allow for better risk assessment in the pharmacy? And how will this affect demand?

Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.