NHS England to fund more GP-based pharmacists

NHS England has approved funding for more than 160 additional GP surgery-based clinical pharmacists able to offer expert medical advice and treatment to patients. Including previously approved posts, the move will increase the number of clinical pharmacists in general practice from around 580 to over 1,100, covering 40 percent of surgeries in the country and nearly 34 million patients. Clinical pharmacists can offer patient consultations, expertise on issues with medicines, and extra help with the management of long-term conditions. Increasing their presence in surgeries should help to alleviate some of the pressure on GPs and free up their time for those patients with the greatest need and most complex conditions.