General practitioner practice-based pharmacist input to medicines optimisation in the UK: pragmatic, multicenter, randomised, controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Changing demographics across the UK has led to general practitioners (GPs) managing increasing numbers of older patients with multi-morbidity and resultant polypharmacy. Through government led initiatives within the National Health Service, an increasing number of GP practices employ pharmacist support. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of a medicines optimisation intervention, delivered by GP practice-based pharmacists, to patients at risk of medication-related problems (MRPs), on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.

Methods

A multi-centre, randomised (normal care or pharmacist supplemented care) study in four regions of the UK, involving patients (n?=?356) from eight GP practices, with a 6-month follow-up period. Participants were adult patients who were at risk of MRPs.

Results

Median number of MRPs per intervention patient were reduced at the third assessment, i.e. 3 to 0.5 (p?ConclusionThe pharmacist service was effective in reducing MRPs, inappropriateness of medications and telephone consultations in general practice in a cost-effective manner.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.Gov, NCT03241498. Registered 7 August 2017-Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03241498.

SUBMITTER: Syafhan NF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7784025 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature