Agenda item

This report explores the role of community pharmacies in improving Health and Wellbeing.

Michael Levitan (Brent and Harrow Local Pharmaceutical Committee) delivered a presentation to the committee exploring the role of community pharmacists in improving public health and wellbeing. The committee heard that community pharmacists, as fully trained healthcare professionals who provided a range of services, were a highly valued resource. Importantly, community pharmacists were also highly accessible to the public, with opening hours of between 50 to 100 hours per week and the majority of services accessible appointment free.

Michael Levitan outlined several examples to the committee of how the role of community pharmacists could be developed to the benefit of both patients and other healthcare providers. In particular, the possibility of utilising community pharmacists to reduce pressures on other healthcare providers was highlighted. The Minor Ailments service which had been introduced by Brent PCT and had ceased at the end of 2011, had enabled people to be diagnosed by community pharmacists for minor issues and obtain the appropriate medicines without attending a General Practitioner (GP). Work had been conducted which indicated that up to 20 per cent of GP appointments could be freed-up via this service. Similarly, there was evidence to suggest that up to 30 per cent of attendances at Northwick Park Accident and Emergency could have been dealt with at community pharmacies. Services that were currently being delivered by community pharmacists in Brent included flu vaccinations and an increased support role as part of hospital discharge planning. This latter service had been introduced at the end of 2012 and encompassed the provision of advice to patients or domiciliary carers on medicines received in hospital and on other therapeutic options. This service helped to encourage and enable patient compliance in taking their medicines. Martin Levitan concluded his presentation by noting it was essential that community pharmacists were included within discussions on public health issues.

In the subsequent discussion, members sought clarification on what actions were being taken by the Brent and Harrow Local Pharmaceutical Committee to champion good practice and the implementation of innovative initiatives in Brent. Further information was also requested on the level of demand from community pharmacists for expanding their role in public health and wellbeing. It was queried why the Minor Ailments service in Brent had ceased at the end of 2011. Members noted that incidents of community pharmacists providing medicines illegally had recently been publicised, with two of these incidents occurring in Brent. In light of this, several queries were raised on the mechanisms in place for self-regulation and inspection within the professional association for community pharmacists and the sector in general. 

Responding to members’ queries, Michael Levitan advised that the Brent and Harrow Local Pharmaceutical Committee had previously met regularly with the PCT and there had been some cases of very successful collaborations, such as the smoking cessation service. Many community pharmacists were very interested in expanding the types of services offered but it was acknowledged that the short length of contracts coupled with the investment in equipment and staffing often required could prove significant obstacles. A benefit of involving community pharmacists in the discussions around public health would be the increased confidence of community pharmacists in pursuing such developments. Ethie Kong (Chair of Brent Clinical Commissioning Group) added that minor ailment service would be revisited but would need to be developed to work more effectively. All public health services were working very hard to empower patients to engage to a greater extent in self-care and workshops were would be held to ensure that duplications in service provision would be avoided.

Turning to the incidents involving community pharmacists supplying medicines without prescription, Michael Levitan advised that the two cases that had occurred in Brent had involved the supplying of antibiotics and not opiate based painkillers. Unlike the other cases that had been publicised, formal investigations had not been held for the incidents which took place in Brent. The committee was advised that community pharmacists were subject to very high levels of regulation and inspection by the Pharmaceutical Council. The PCT also had the right to conduct inspections on community pharmacies. It was emphasised that there were procedures which allowed community pharmacists to issue medication without prescriptions in emergencies.

Members noted that it would be useful to have greater information in respect of the evidence base for the initiatives and suggestions outlined in the presentation. The Chair advised that a deeper working relationship with the PCG, Public Health and Brent Council would be required to support community pharmacists developing a greater role in improving public health and wellbeing. It would also be important establish a substantive strategy setting out clear outcomes, expected benefits and budgets.

RESOLVED:

    (i)        that the report be noted

  (ii)        that an update be brought to the Committee in June 2013