Arden & GEM CSU Medicines Optimisation team provided a team of clinical pharmacists to deliver consistent and effective medication reviews for patients across a PCN over a period of 3 months, to demonstrate the value of the clinical pharmacist role under the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS).
The PCN wanted clinical pharmacists to target overdue medication reviews, especially for those living in their own homes, who may have avoided seeing the GP or had difficulty in accessing their GP during the COVID pandemic.
During the 3 month pilot, the team reviewed 513 patients and made 1211 interventions, and overall delivered over £9000 in medication savings. The project has provided evidence that:
• there is great value to having clinical pharmacists in GP practices, resulting in quality patient outcomes and savings to the NHS
• the clinical pharmacist role can provide great support to GPs during the pandemic
