This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Make use of community pharmacists’ skills
NICE has claimed that community pharmacy teams have the potential to play a greater role in health promotion and prevention.
In a new draft quality standard, NICE calls for community pharmacy services to be included in existing care and referral pathways, which will allow community pharmacy teams to accept as well as make referrals to the service most appropriate for the person.
The quality standard acknowledges that many community pharmacists have good relationships with the local population and an understanding of the physical, economic and social challenges some individuals face. This knowledge could be used to support the most vulnerable members of the community and help to reduce health inequalities, for example providing information tailored to a specific audience, such as in a different language.
Moreover, it could see pharmacists begin conversations with the public about topics like weight loss when they pick up their prescriptions, or buy over the counter products. Critics have claimed that such interventions could offend many shoppers, deterring some from collecting prescriptions or undergoing medical checks. This is similar for conversations on stopping smoking or reducing alcohol consumption.
Gillian Leng, deputy chief executive and director of health and social care at NICE, said: “Community pharmacists engage every day with people who buy over-the-counter medicines, collect prescriptions or ask for advice. This is a vital opportunity to support people to maintain good health but also signpost them to other health services. Integrating community pharmacies into local care and referral pathways, will offer people effective, convenient and easily accessible services, reduce duplication of work and relieve pressure on the wider health and social care system.”
The draft quality standard is open for consultation until the 14 February 2020.
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