National survey of UK general practice pharmacy services

Abstract

Abstract Background The Clinical Pharmacists in General Practice (CPGP) initiative aims to recruit over 2000 clinical pharmacists in general practice (GP) surgeries in England by 2020. This study aimed to explore the services delivered by all GP pharmacy professionals (GPPPs; pharmacists/pharmacy technicians) across the UK. Methods 30-item e-questionnaire was developed using SurveyMonkey platform and piloted during one-to-one cognitive interviews with GPPPs. The survey was distributed via the Primary Care Pharmacy Association, social media sites, collaborating GP organisations and via emails to participants of CPGP pilot. Three reminders were sent out 1 week apart. University ethics approval was obtained. Results Ninety-one responses were received between November 2018 and March 2019 (89% pharmacists, 52% from CPGP pilot). Participants provided an average of 9 services (95% CI 8.3-9.9). Over 90% of pharmacists delivered medication reviews and over 80% managed patients with polypharmacy. More pharmacists within than outside of the CPGP pilot managed repeat prescribing requests (70% vs. 47%, p = 0.035). Technicians took responsibility for primarily non-clinical services such as service commissioning (90%), management of safety alerts/drug recalls (80%), standard operating procedures (80%) and education & training (80%). Over 40% of GPPPs not providing care home services wished to do so by 2024. Four technicians wanted to be more involved in medication reviews. The main perceived benefits of GP pharmacy services included identifying medicines-related issues (93%), utilisation of pharmacy professionals’ skills (93%) and a reduction in medication waste (92%). Conclusions GPPPs provide a range of clinical and non-clinical services which may benefit public health at an individual and healthcare system levels. Pharmacists within the pilot are more likely to deliver repeat prescribing services. Future GP pharmacy landscape will likely include additional services to care homes. Key messages GPPPs including pharmacy technicians provide clinical and non-clinical services, appropriate to their scope of practice, to benefit patients, healthcare systems and themselves. Developing future GP pharmacy services to care homes offers further opportunities to benefit a vulnerable group of patients with long-term illnesses.