Development of Pharmacist Independent Prescribing Clinics to Treat Opioid Analgesic Dependence in NHS Lanarkshire.

Duncan Hill,Elizabeth Marr,Clair Smith

doi:10.3390/pharmacy7030119

Duncan Hill, Elizabeth Marr + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy7030119

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Abstract

There has been an increase in opioid analgesic prescribing in general practice (GP). This is causing some concern around this contributing to dependency. NHS Lanarkshire have attempted to reduce the prescribing from GP surgeries through the development of specialised Pharmacist Independent Prescriber clinics being delivered from the practices. This article looks at the development of these services with pharmacist independent prescribers and the results from developing the services. The article aims to provide advice and recommendations for the development of other services and strategies to minimise the risks associated with Opioid Analgesic Dependence for patients.

Highlights

Opioid analgesics have an important role in the management of pain and treatment for patients, but they must be used cautiously and appropriately to prevent dependency.The extent of the problem and numbers misusing opioid analgesics is lacking and to quoteLaurence [1]; there is “absolutely no data” on dependence on analgesics in the UK
There would be specialist information published, Information Statistics Division (ISD) data and papers written by specialists—there is no data published for the UK setting
In 2013, the issue of Opioid Analgesic Dependence (OAD) from prescribed medications was identified as escalating in the UK [3]

Summary

Introduction

Opioid analgesics have an important role in the management of pain and treatment for patients, but they must be used cautiously and appropriately to prevent dependency.The extent of the problem and numbers misusing opioid analgesics is lacking and to quoteLaurence [1]; there is “absolutely no data” on dependence on analgesics in the UK. Opioid analgesics have an important role in the management of pain and treatment for patients, but they must be used cautiously and appropriately to prevent dependency. The extent of the problem and numbers misusing opioid analgesics is lacking and to quote. Laurence [1]; there is “absolutely no data” on dependence on analgesics in the UK. “We do not know what the scale of the opioid-related harms is, but all of us see patients in this trap in almost every clinic” [2]. In 2013, the issue of Opioid Analgesic Dependence (OAD) from prescribed medications was identified as escalating in the UK [3]. Within NHS Lanarkshire, there was a sustained and continued increase in the amount of opioid analgesics prescribed, the volumes were proportionately higher than the Scottish National average [4]

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