Our winners run clinics that offer a chance to intensively review patients’ COPD medicines, and to develop a disease management plan

Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation

Winner: Western Health and Social Care Trust

In December 2014, specialist prescribing pharmacists from Western Health and Social Care Trust began running chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinics in primary care.

The clinics offer a chance to intensively review patients’ COPD medicines, and to develop a disease management plan.

In the sample group, there was also a reduction in COPD exacerbations and unplanned hospital admission

A study of 658 patients attending the clinics showed the number of COPD medicines they were taking fell, leading to a projected £244,000 yearly saving within the primary care drug budget. This represents a £4.14 return for every £1 invested. In addition, there was improved medicines adherence and more appropriate prescribing.

In the sample group, there was also a reduction in COPD exacerbations and unplanned hospital admission. In the 12 months prior to the pharmacist clinics being introduced, 65.3 per cent of patients had experienced at least one exacerbation and 8.4 per cent had been admitted to hospital.

During the six-month follow-up period, only 37.5 per cent of patients had seen an exacerbation and just 3.2 per cent of patients had a non-elective hospital admission.

Judges’ comment: A genuine commitment to medicines optimisation and support for patients. This is a great example of specialist pharmacy skills being transferred out of hospital to a general practice setting which has brought significant clinical benefits and demonstrated good financial outcomes.

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