Ensuring the way medicines are supplied meets the needs of the patient

Pharmacy type

Community

Pharmacy context

This community pharmacy mostly dispenses NHS prescriptions. It supplies several​people with their medicines in multi-compartment compliance packs. And itdelivers medicines to people's homes.​

Relevant standards

• 1.1 - The risks associated with providing pharmacy services are identified and managed
• 1.2 - The safety and quality of pharmacy services are regularly reviewed and monitored
• 4.2 - Pharmacy services are managed and delivered safely and effectively

Why this is notable practice

The pharmacy has systems in place to ensure the provision of medicines in multi-compartment compliance packs is suitable for the person requesting the service. It provides alternate support to people identified as requiring help with taking their medicines when the supply of compliance packs is not appropriate for the person.

How the pharmacy did this

The pharmacist completed an assessment of people requesting to join the multi-compartment compliance pack service to ensure it was suitable for them. Where appropriate, the pharmacist involved the person's carer in the assessment.

The assessment often revealed the person didn't require their medicines supplied in the packs. But did need support such as an administration chart to prompt them to take their medication and to record when the medicine was administered.

The pharmacist developed a chart that enabled the pharmacy team to insert details of the medicines and dose instructions for the person or their carer to refer to. The chart was large enough to accommodate a bigger font when required.

Occasionally the assessment triggered a referral to the person's GP to arrange a medication review.

What difference this made to patients

The pharmacy provides support to people who require help to take their medicines. The support is tailored to the person’s individual needs.