Responding to a report by the Public Accounts Committee which found that using pharmacies can help better support elderly and frail patients, Henry Gregg, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association said:
"This is a significant report. We're pleased the committee recognises that using pharmacists to help frail and elderly patients manage what can often be a complicated and bewildering medicines regime is part of the solution to this issue.
"This could include regular medicines reviews, removing unnecessary medicines as well as widening the support pharmacies can offer when a patient is discharged from hospital. This can prevent unnecessary visits to hospital or to other parts of the health system.
"Pharmacies are conveniently located on people's doorsteps and know their patients well. With the right levels of funding support and buy in from the rest of the NHS, they can help those who need it the most in our communities and take pressure away from the wider health system."
