30/09/05

From October 2005, pharmacies across the county will be offering a wider range of services to patients and the public as part of a new contract, which will help to deliver 'real improvements' in patient care.

Under the new arrangements, pharmacists will be able to provide a growing number of essential NHS services, covering self care, management of long term health conditions and initiatives to improve public health.

Services include:

. providing information and advice to patients and carers on the safe and effective use of medicines that are ordered on NHS prescriptions

. repeat dispensing - this means that certain patients who use the same medicines regularly don't need to make an appointment with their doctor every time they need more medicines. This is done in partnership with the prescriber (usually a GP or practice nurse), a local pharmacist and the patient

. ensuring patient safety - providing advice to patients on safe handling of medicines, including disposal of unwanted medicines

. providing advice on healthy lifestyles to patients presenting prescriptions for heart disease or diabetes especially those with high blood pressure, those who smoke and those who are overweight

. 'signposting' people who require further advice, support or treatment to other health and social care services (e.g. GP Surgery) who may be able to assist. Alternatively the pharmacist may offer advice on treating minor ailments such as coughs and colds at home

. Medicines Use Review.

Head of Medicines Management at the PCT, Laura Bucknell said:

"Traditionally, pharmacies have dispensed medicine. This won't change, but community pharmacists are now providing a range of NHS services for the benefit of patients including providing expert guidance on self care where appropriate. People should see their local pharmacy as a place where they can receive medicine and good advice at convenient times - without making an appointment."

Local Pharmacist, Arvind Patel from Barkey Chemist, High Street, Gloucester said:

"The new contract will help to raise the profile of the profession and at the same time broaden people's understanding of what is now available at their community pharmacy.
Repeat dispensing is a good example of how we are helping to make services more efficient and convenient."

"If patients have an established condition that requires regular medication, they may be able to get a long-term prescription from their GP and take it straight to their local pharmacist. The pharmacist can then regularly dispense the medicine, saving the patient the inconvenience of visiting their GP every time."

"It also means that we can keep an eye on their medication and deal with any problems they may have, such as adverse reaction to drugs."

If patients have long-term conditions, such as diabetes or asthma, pharmacists will also be able to offer a medicines use review medication review. This is a thorough look at the drugs they are taking and how effective they have been including any side-effects that may have been experienced. Pharmacists will have a private area in the pharmacy where patients can talk in confidence.