Primary care

Justifying my prescribing decisions

The decision to prescribe a medicine can be complex when you have to balance what’s best for the patient with what is most cost effective.…

NHS expenditure on prescribed medicines up by 7.6%, with 15.1% increase in hospital sector

The cost of medicines prescribed by hospitals in England increased by 15.1% to £5.8bn in 2013–2014 compared with the previous year.…

Lloydspharmacy funds pilot project to improve care of patients after discharge from hospital

Lloydspharmacy stores in Liverpool are set to pilot a new model of community pharmacy-based discharge care, as a result of a new research collaboration.…

Pharmacists are crucial to solving the NHS urgent care problem

A greater role for pharmacists is essential if the NHS is to reduce unsustainable pressure on unplanned care services, says Howard Duff, director for England at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.…

Measuring productivity does not always reflect performance

A project that aims to benchmark pharmacy-related productivity in the NHS raises concerns for pharmacists.…

Relieving pressure on GPs

GPs can lighten their workload by employing pharmacists while also gaining valuable clinical support.…

Expanding the role of community pharmacy for the benefit of patients

Katie Hovenden explains how promoting public health has led to her being the first pharmacist to be named as an inspirational female leader by the Health Service Journal.…

Can medicines management services reduce hospital admissions?

Pharmacists can help patients who are at risk of emergency admission by engaging in carefully targeted medication reviews, says Duncan Petty…