There are many examples of services commissioned from community pharmacy to address the palliative care medicine needs in their locality.

Services normally provide access to a specified list of the most frequently needed palliative care medicines, which can be supplied in normal pharmacy hours and out-of-hours on a rota arrangement. The aim of such services is to improve patient access to palliative care medicines in order to stop any delay that may cause harm or even lead to hospital admission. 

The service also provides community pharmacies the opportunity to provide information and advice to patients and their families and carers and to refer to specialist centres, support groups or other health and social care professionals where appropriate.

Some localities have introduced “just in case” boxes, which are available from community pharmacies, to address anticipatory prescribing. These boxes contain a small supply of prescribed medicines commonly required for the relief of symptoms in the last few days of life that are kept in the patient’s home. The community pharmacist will assemble these boxes according to the patient’s requirements with information for the carer.

Working together

Macmillan is supporting a palliative care service offered by 71 pharmacies within the in Greater Glasgow and Clyde area. The pharmacies not only stock specific core medicines but also provide advice and useful contact numbers and support for other pharmacies in the locality. NHS 24 can arrange the dispensing of out of hours urgent prescriptions from participating pharmacies.

Macmillan funds specialist pharmacists who work as part of the multi-disciplinary team to improve the experiences and outcomes of people affected by cancer. Services include addressing polypharmacy and any issues patients have with their prescribed medicines, such as adherence issues, side-effects or contraindications. The service provides multiple access points, as well as links into local services such as support groups, bereavement and financial advice services and referrals. 

Boots UK currently has around 2,000 Boots Macmillan information pharmacists and 300 Boots Macmillan beauty advisors who have been trained to advise patients on their skin, hair and nails during cancer treatment.