In News

Follow this topic

Record learning outcomes

An audit by Pharmacy Voice has found that medicines supply and availability issues are behind one in five interventions by the pharmacy team, confirming that medicines shortages are still a widespread problem.

Data collated from 5,198 community pharmacies revealed that seven interventions take place per 1,000 prescription items on average. Medicines shortages are the most common reason for an intervention (20 per cent), followed by unsigned prescriptions (18 per cent). Other, less frequent issues needing an intervention include queries around the medicine format, quantity or brand.

Commenting on the findings, Rob Darracott, chief executive of Pharmacy Voice, said: €Audits such as this highlight the positive impact community pharmacy teams have on patient care, but the management of these interventions necessitates more time spent and considerable pressure for all members of the primary care team.€

To reduce the need for interventions, Pharmacy Voice is calling for closer joint working between pharmacy teams and GPs and has reaffirmed its commitment to working with the pharmaceutical industry to reduce problems in the supply chain.