Pharmacists lead the medicines optimisation agenda

The training undertaken by pharmacists and the knowledge base they develop presents an opportunity for the pharmacy workforce to lead on medicines optimisation in healthcare. As the population ages, the cost of drugs grows and the volume of prescriptions escalates, this upward trend will continue. Combined with behavioural skills such as persuasion and motivation, pharmacists are well positioned to ensure medicines guidelines are followed, waste is reduced and that there are improvements in patient outcomes. This is particularly important in care and residential settings.

Proposed workforce impact

• The role of the pharmacist becomes more labour intensive as pharmacists increasingly work alongside patients for longer periods.
• Pharmacists to assume more strategic roles on local commissioning boards.

Sources or references

• www.northeast.nhs.uk/_assets/media/pdf/Medicines_optimisation.pdf
• www.birmingham.ac.uk/Documents/college-mds/haps/projects/cfhep/psrp/finalreports/PS025CHUMS-FinalReportwithappendices.pdf

Additional research questions

• Do CCGs understand the issues surrounding medicines optimisation?
• What other healthcare professionals are well positioned to deliver medicines optimisation?
• How will the changing skill mix, e.g. behavioural competencies, be integrated into pharmacy education and training?

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