Pharmacists to have extended role in community

Pharmacists have been given the opportunity to become ‘experts’ in long term conditions to enable more patients to be treated in the community, it was announced today.

Health minister Andy Burnham said that pharmacists with special interests (PSI) could offer care and advice for conditions such as diabetes, sexually transmitted infections and skin disorders.

Working principally in the community, PSIs will undergo extra competency-based training and become accredited for certain areas of knowledge.

Services such as specialist diabetes clinics will then be able to be offered, with PSIs working with other healthcare professionals.

Speaking at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester today, Mr Burnham said: “All pharmacists play a valuable role in helping patients manage their medicines, as well as contributing to public health.

“Pharmacists with special interests will give patients more choice about where, when and from who they seek healthcare advice and treatment.”

He also announced a framework and guidance to ensure patient safety.

“This framework builds on community pharmacy’s traditional strengths of quality, safety and accessibility by setting out a process of accreditation and competency for pharmacists,” he said.

David Colin Thome, national clinical director for primary care, commented: “The creation of pharmacists with special interests means that pharmacists can join GPs and other practitioners with special interests in more fully utilising their clinical skills for the benefits for patients.”

Dr Keith Ridge, chief pharmaceutical officer at the Department of Health, said that PSIs were a “significant step forward” in improving patient care in the community.

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