PHARMACIST integration in the general practice team may improve clinical and non-clinical outcomes, according to a newly published paper from Christopher Freeman of the University of Queensland and consultant pharmacist Debbie Rigby.
Published in the latest Australian Prescriber (PD Mon), the article argues for a flexible funding model to support pharmacists in general practice, which "would reduce fragmentation of patient care and medication misadventure".
Freeman and Rigby cited a recent systematic review and meta-analysis of pharmacist delivered services in general practice, including 38 studies of which 25 showed positive effects on at least one primary outcome measure.
Other studies show improvements in outcomes such as adherence, identification and reduction of medicine-related problems, and a reduction in the total number of medications prescribed.
The paper also cites implications for community pharmacies, with practice pharmacists having the potential to reduce fragmentation of care, improve medication management and enhance communication with GPs.
"The primary purpose of a practice pharmacist would be to support GPs to minimise risks associated with medicines and optimise patient outcomes through the quality use of medicines," the paper concludes, urging further investigation of funding models to ensure cost-effectiveness of flexible models of care.
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