Pharmacy type
Community
Pharmacy context
COVID-19
Relevant standards
- 4.1 - The pharmacy services provided are accessible to patients and the public
Why this is notable practice
The pharmacy is working together with another healthcare professional to manage stock shortages of steroid inhalers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How the pharmacy did this
The pharmacist had worked with the asthma nurse at the local surgery by providing her with details of the steroid inhalers which were available. And a list of the surgery’s registered patients with asthma who regularly used the pharmacy. The nurse had then been able to amend prescribing where necessary. And had contacted people to let them know if their inhaler had been changed. Where a person could not be contacted the nurse sent the prescription through with a note to say that she had not been able to contact them. The pharmacist had then counselled them about the need to change their inhaler at the point of supply. The list of available inhalers was regularly updated and sent by email to the nurse.
What difference this made to patients
The impact of stock shortages on people using inhalers that are unavailable is minimised. And people are kept informed of changes in treatment and are reassured. There is less risk of people being required to make multiple trips to the pharmacy or surgery.
Highlighted standards
We have identified the standards most likely and least likely to be met in inspections, and highlighted examples of notable practice for each of these standards; to help everyone learn from others and to support continuous improvement: