Report
We believe it is time to change the way medicines are used in care homes. Too many care home residents are taking medicines which are doing them more harm than good.
At a time when every pound of NHS resource needs to be scrutinised, we believe that a far more efficient system would have one pharmacist, as part of a multidisciplinary team, responsible for the whole system of medicines and their use within a care home. We believe, and evidence shows, that this improves care, reduces NHS medicines waste and reduces the serious harm that can be caused by inappropriate use of medicines.
We have talked with the families of care home residents, care home providers, local authorities, care professionals and expert pharmacists as well as reviewing the available evidence to produce this report which describes what needs to be done to address the issues of medicines use in care homes.
First Published: 01 February 2016