Four of the UK's largest multiples have claimed that using pharmacy care plans to support patients with long-term health conditions could reduce the cost of healthcare by up to 21%.
The Community Pharmacy Future (CPF) group, which comprises of Lloyds Pharmacy, Boots, Rowlands and Well, have stated that the care plan service tested “must become part of the integrated package of care commissioned by the NHS so that each patient gets appropriate support to reach their health goals.”
According to an independent evaluation of the pilot which was conducted by researchers at the University of East Anglia, 93% of patients who attended the first appointment agreed one or more health goals with their pharmacist. 39% of those patients achieved one or more of these targets in a span of 12 months.
The authors of the report said that “despite the intensive nature of the service”, with “multiple interventions over an extended period of time”, costs were reduced “by making use of the whole pharmacy team, including healthcare assistants obtaining clinical measurements”.
Lead author of the paper Dr Michael Twigg, lecturer in primary care pharmacy at the University of East Anglia, said the results were “encouraging”. He said, “We look forward to working closely with industry colleagues to enhance the role of community pharmacy in identifying and addressing public health needs.”
