Introduction to Medicines Management

1. Introduction to Medicines Management

2. NPC definition • “A system of processes and behaviours that determines how medicines are used by patients and by healthcare services” • Effective medicines management services will have patients as the primary focus, thus delivering better targeted care and better informed individuals

3. Medicines Management …in real life • Right drug • Right dose • Right patient • Right time • Everytime !

4. Patient history Prescribing Transmission / Transcription Obtain and document relevant history Decide on medicine Prescribe Medicine Prescription generation Record keeping Pharmacy Interpret Ordering & preparation Dispense & clinical check Monitoring Patient Interpret response Routine checks Concordance & compliance Patient understanding Idealised Medicines Pathway

5. Why do medicinesneed managing? • Prescribing is the most common therapeutic intervention in the NHS • The complexity, volume and cost of medicines are all increasing • Medicines have the potential to do harm as well as be beneficial • Medicines management is often seen as “someone else's job”

6. Medicines Management Benefits CostEffectiveness Patient Safety Improve health MedicinesManagement Better access to services Greater choice for patients Better patient information Promote self care Use of skills

7. Questions patients may ask Do I keep taking my medicines or when should I stop? Do I need a medicine? How do I find out about different treatments? Who decides which medicines I get? How can I make sure my medicines suit me? How am I involved in making decisions? How do I get my medicine? How do I find out more about my medicines?

8. Medicines Management & the NHS • Medicines management is an important NHS priority • Medicines management is an integral component of the GMS and community pharmacy frameworks • Most of the National Service Frameworks (NSFs) and NICE guidance include medicines management issues • The NHS Institute includes medicines management in its “Better Care, Better Value” indicators • The Healthcare Commission reports on aspects of medicines management in primary and secondary care