the health strategist
institute for strategic health transformation
& digital technology
Joaquim Cardoso MSc.
Chief Research and Strategy Officer (CRSO),
Chief Editor and Senior Advisor
November 17, 2023
One page summary
What is the message?
The introduction of the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme, part of the primary care recovery plan in the UK, aims to alleviate pressure on general practitioners (GPs) by allowing community pharmacies to prescribe for seven common conditions and provide contraceptive services.
While intended to support a strained general practice service, concerns have been raised regarding patient safety, antibiotic stewardship, and the overall impact on GP workload.
What are the key points?
Scheme Details:
The £645 million ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme allows pharmacists to prescribe for common conditions like sinusitis, sore throat, and urinary tract infections, starting from January 31. An expansion includes contraceptive prescribing and increased powers for pharmacists to modify GP records.
Financial Incentives:
Participating pharmacies can claim a fixed payment of £2,000 before the launch, with an additional £15 per consultation. However, some GPs express dissatisfaction with the funding, believing it could be better utilized in general practice.
Concerns and Criticisms:
Experts and GPs raise concerns about potential overuse of antibiotics, misdiagnosis risks, and the overall impact on patient safety. The British Medical Association argues that making antibiotics more accessible may compromise efforts to address antimicrobial resistance.
Pharmacy Contraception Service:
The scheme allows community pharmacies to initiate contraceptive prescriptions, aiming to reduce GP workload. While some see potential benefits, others emphasize the need for robust safety processes.
Hypertension Case-Finder Service:
The expansion of this service aims to enhance the skill mix within community pharmacies, providing financial incentives for participation. GPs initially expressed concerns about potential unofficial screenings.
Access to GP Records:
The shift towards pharmacy consultation and prescribing necessitates changes in managing patient records. Pharmacies will gain access to GP records through GP Connect, with updates and a clinical triage system to be implemented.
Statistics
- Financial Allocation: The ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme is backed by £645 million.
- Payment to Pharmacies: Pharmacies can claim an initial fixed payment of £2,000 and receive £15 per consultation.
Examples
- Antibiotic Prescription Controversy: The decision to allow community pharmacies to prescribe antibiotics has sparked controversy, with concerns about its impact on antibiotic stewardship efforts.
- Pharmacy Contraception Service: The second phase of the pharmacy contraception service allows community pharmacies to initiate contraceptive prescriptions, aiming to benefit around half a million women.
Conclusion
While the ‘Pharmacy First’ scheme and related services aim to address the crisis in general practice and reduce GP workload, concerns about patient safety, antibiotic stewardship, and the financial viability of the scheme persist.
Collaboration between GPs and pharmacists is crucial to ensuring effective implementation, maintaining patient confidentiality, and achieving the desired impact on the healthcare system. The success of these initiatives in easing GP workload remains uncertain as of now.
DEEP DIVE
This summary was written based on the article “Will GPs benefit from pharmacies taking on ‘common conditions’ prescribing?”, published by Pulse on November 17, 2o23.
To read the original publication, access https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/artificial-intelligence/future-cardiology-ai-aha-2023
