The discussion was opened by Pharmacist MP Sadik Al-Hassan, the new chair of the All Party Pharmacy Group in Parliament.
The research report, published last month by the York Health Economic Consortium (University of York), showed that community pharmacists could save the NHS billions of pounds and improve patient outcomes, given further investment in medicines checks.
Rupert Payne, of the University of Exeter presented latest developments around medicines reviews.
Rhodri Thomas, from Community Pharmacy Wales, briefed on the success of the Discharge Medicines Review Medicines Optimisation Service in Wales.
NPA chair, Olivier Picard, was amongst those participating in the meeting. He said: “Our aim is to identify how medicines optimisation in community pharmacy can even better support patient outcomes and value for the NHS. I believe, with the right support, we can achieve significant improvements.”
Sadik Al-Hassan MP said: “I want to thank the National Pharmacy Association for commissioning this vital piece of research and for bringing us all together to discuss how to turn evidence into action and potential into practice.”
“This is a genuine opportunity to transform patient care whilst addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing our health service,
“By expanding the role of community pharmacy in medicines optimisation, we can generate substantial opportunity cost savings for the NHS while simultaneously improving health outcomes for patients.
“This isn't about asking pharmacies to do more with less, it's about recognising and properly utilising the clinical expertise that already exists on our high streets, using the professionals in pharmacy at the right level and preparing the workforce capacity for the roles of tomorrow.”
