NEWS
PHARMACy FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH
To mark World Mental Health Day (October 10) the increasing roles that pharmacists and their national associations are taking in mental health care have been illustrated in a new document from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP).
“Focus on mental health: The contribution of the pharmacist” gives an overview of the areas in mental health care in which pharmacists are involved, including health promotion, early detection, triage, optimising treatment outcomes, education (including addiction prevention), shaping public policies, research and interprofessional practice.
Gaps in the mental health care have long been acknowledged and global initiatives to address these gaps include the movement towards universal health coverage, the World Health Organisation’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme and the WHO Mental Health Action Plan 2013–2020.
“Delivery of these initiatives requires a different skill mix and a different attitude to health. For many people experiencing mental health problems, pharmacists and family doctors are likely to be their first point of contact. Pharmacists have a significant role to play if we are to make mental health for all a global reality,” said Gabriel Ivbijaro, President Elect of the World Federation for Mental Health.
Through its global network, FIP has drawn together numerous examples of pharmacy-led mental health activities from around the world and, through this new report, it is sharing them with the whole profession and stakeholders.
Professor Ivbijaro added: “This FIP ‘Focus on mental health’ report gives excellent examples of how pharmacists and pharmaceutical organisations are making a practical difference to mental health care, and we urge others to come on board and be active partners.”
“It is becoming increasingly recognised that a comprehensive approach is needed in mental health care. This document helps to identify pharmacists as an important yet underused resource that can provide tremendous support to meet current and future challenges related to mental health,” said Luc Besançon, FIP CEO and General Secretary.
6
pharmacyinfocus.co.uk Medicines wastage costing £6.46m
Every year, 39 million prescription items are issued in Northern Ireland. About 72 tonnes of these medicines, with an estimated value of £6.46m, are returned to community pharmacies as waste. These medicines then cost the Health Service a further £400,000 to dispose of.
At the launch of a campaign to reduce medicine waste, Chairman of the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), Dr Ian Clements said, “Over-ordering and over-prescribing of medicines leads to an estimated £18m* of wasted medicines each year. If we – patients, members of the public and professionals, all worked together and tried to reduce the amount of wasted medicines, the money saved could be used to fund other vital health services such as more doctors and nurses, or new treatments.”
The campaign will encourage people to only order medicines which they need, review their existing prescriptions with their doctors or pharmacists and not to stockpile medication. David McCrea, Pharmacist, Dundela Pharmacy, Belfast said, “For patient safety reasons, unused medicines which are returned to pharmacies have to be destroyed and cannot be reused. Community pharmacists can help breakdown any barriers which might prevent a patient from taking their medicines and aid their compliance. We can help patients
Brenda Bradley, Pharmacy Lead, Health and Social Care Board and David McCrea, Pharmacist, Dundela Pharmacy
improve their understanding of their medicines, explain how they work and discuss any concerns they may have such as side-effects.”
In the last year, over 27,000 patients in Northern Ireland had their medication reviewed in community pharmacies and received advice on how to use their medicine more effectively and reduce waste. Medication-related issues were identified in 60% of these reviews and 11% of these patients were referred to their GP or other healthcare professional as a result.
There is also a social cost to unnecessary medicines being prescribed. Media reports have documented the rise in the number of drugs such as diazepam being sold on the streets of Northern Ireland. Some of these drugs have been legitimately
prescribed for patients, and are then misused and abused.
Brenda Bradley, Pharmacy Lead, Medicines Governance and Public Health, HSCB said, “We have evidence that some of the drugs found on the streets are unused prescriptions which have been sold or shared with others. This is not only illegal, it is exceptionally dangerous. Taking prescription drugs without proper advice from a health professional can lead to dangerous side effects and fatal consequences.”
The Health and Social Care Board has been working with GPs and community pharmacists to tackle this issue. A long-term project in Belfast has helped to reduce the number of benzodiazepines (tranquilisers) prescribed by over 40% in a ten year period.
Call for Fellows Applications
current Fellow. Needless to say, the person under consideration should not be aware of the nomination.
Anyone nominating a Member for a Fellowship is asked to complete the nomination form and provide a supporting statement. Applications are assessed by a panel of Fellows, chaired by the Chair of the Pharmacy Forum, and recommendations are made to the Pharmacy Forum Board for consideration. The panel of Fellows can only make their decision on the evidence submitted as part of the nomination process.
Chief Pharmaceutical Officer Mark Timoney, newly appointed fellows Roberta Tasker and Anne Friel with former PSNI Chair Dr Kate McClelland
One of the highest honours that can be bestowed to a pharmacist in Northern Ireland is the Fellowship of the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland. It is reward from the profession to a person who exemplifies excellence and who is a role model to others.
The Pharmacy Forum NI is currently looking for nominations for fellows.
Any Member of the Pharmaceutical Society can nominate another Member for a Fellowship providing they can demonstrate through the application process that they meet the eligibility criteria.
The nominator’s proposal should be supported by two further Members and either the nominator or at least one of the supporters must be a
Nominations can be submitted at any time for consideration at the next panel meeting; however closing date for this year’s nominations is 15 January 2016.
A list of current fellows on on the Pharmacy Forum NI website
www.forum.psni.org.uk/awards-and- bursaries/fellows-of-the-pharmaceutica l-society/
An application forum can be downloaded
www.forum.psni.org.uk/ awards-and-bursaries/fellowship/
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64