1. Support for Medicines Optimisation

2. Medicines Optimisation Importance of Medicines Optimisation Potential benefits of optimising medicines Existing investments – WAHT – A&E pharmacists – Practice investment – CCG Pilots Care home support Pharmacists in the Primary Healthcare Team

3. Medication Reviews in Care Homes Aim – rationalise medication, quantities and provide basic support for the care home staff in relation to medicines Review of work showed main interventions related to: – Drugs reviewed/ stopped – Cost effective alternatives suggested – Quantities synchronised – Clinical areas – dressings, emollients, sip feeds, incontinence products. Reviews done in Worcester city – saved £191 per patient, through 4713 interventions Savings identified of between £144- £213 per patient.

4. Saving GP Time Pharmacist working in practice 120 hours in a month (30 hours per week) – saved a minimum of 15 hours of GP time each week Work undertaken: (figures based on 1 month activity) – Review of discharge & clinical letters 247 reviewed. 122 had interventions; 61 of which were contacted by phone. Approximately half the patients were 70 years or older. – Medication reviews 57 undertaken – Other medication related queries Cost for practice was £2,760 (at a rate of £23 per hour).