The rise of the pharmacist

Filed in archive News on August 22, 2005

Pharmacists are having more responsibility - including prescribing - in the UK. As appointments grow scarce, look for this to happen soon Stateside:

While such set-ups are far from common among the 10,500 pharmacies in England and Wales, such services could become commonplace over the forthcoming years as the industry undergoes a quiet revolution.

In April a new contract kicked in for NHS pharmacists, allowing them to take charge of repeat prescribing, conduct reviews of patient treatment and provide a range of "enhanced" services such as blood pressure testing.

While the services at Fairview Pharmacy pre-dated the new contract, they are very similar to what are likely to be rolled out up-and-down the country over coming years.

The smoking cessation clinic was part of a contract drawn up by Harrow Primary Care Trust ,with more than 50 local pharmacies, to help people kick the habit.

Of the 2,500 people seen in two years, nearly two thirds have given up.

The medicines review service Mr Esmail offers is something he agreed individually with local health bosses.

"Patients do not always feel it necessary to go to see a GP, but sometimes want to talk to someone about their condition," Mr Esmail said.

"We are there for that. It has the added benefit of easing the load on GPs. Pharmacists are highly-trained professionals so why not let them get involved in more?"

(Triggle, "The rise and rise of the pharmacist", BBC, Aug.21)