Pilot embeds pharmacists at GP clinics
New partnership between NQPHN and PSA seeks to showcase benefits of embedded pharmacists at general practices, including reducing falls.
Northern Queensland Primary Health Network has partnered with Pharmaceutical Society of Australia to launch the new Older Persons Medication Management Pilot Project.
To better help older people with medication management, the pilot project will connect older people to a pharmacist embedded in a general practice who can help them manage their chronic conditions and medications at home.
They will collaborate with general practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals to identify people over 65 and First Nations peoples over 50 who are prescribed more than five medications and at risk of falls and help them better manage their medication.
Five pharmacists have joined seven general practices in Townsville and two Charters Towers practices as part of the pilot project, which is being funded by NQPHN, and they will be part of a multidisciplinary team who can provide independent advice, medication reviews, improve medication safety and education for patients to better manage their health.
The concept is supported by previous related research from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, NQPHN chief executive officer Ben Tooth told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“Many older people have complex medication regimens due to their chronic conditions, which some manage themselves,” Mr Tooth said.
“Alongside a complex medication regime, many medications need to be taken at different times, which can also be hard to keep up with.
“Medication errors become much more common for people taking more than three medications.
“We are pleased to be able to support our local general practices in delivering multidisciplinary care to help overcome the challenges older people face with their medication management.”
PSA project manager Brooke Snow said bringing in pharmacists to a general practice’s interdisciplinary team will help with the delivery of primary healthcare and has showed superior health outcomes for patients.
“We have had a smooth and effective commencement of service provision resulting in all pharmacists contributing to the interdisciplinary team far earlier than the prior expectation of a 12-week integration period,” said Ms Snow.
“All of the practices and GPs are incredibly grateful to have the medication expertise of the pharmacist on site allowing for far greater collaboration and timely medication optimisation.
“We look forward to continuing to evaluate the outcomes of the Older Persons Medication Management Pilot Project and anticipate positive patient experiences and improved efficiencies for our GPs and practices.”
Mr Tooth told AAA that similar trials are occurring in Western Australia and Victoria, and a similar program has been undertaken in Brisbane, but Townsville will be the first location in North Queensland to run the pilot project, which began in late 2024, and is set to run until 30 June.
Mr Tooth told AAA that NQPHN hopes to expand the project into other areas of north Queensland if the funding is available, and if there is evidence of clear benefits for those involved.
“We will receive an evaluation report from an independent evaluator following the trial, which we will use to make decisions about the future of the program,” he said to AAA.
The biggest benefit for older residents, Mr Tooth explained to AAA, is that they can sit down with a general practice pharmacist and go through their medications in a practice.
“The pharmacist will review their medications and assess the combination of medications and any potential side-effects, including an increased risk of falls,” he said.
“The pharmacist can also help with the transitions of care. Older people are really vulnerable when they have their care transferred between providers, for example, when a person is discharged from hospital to home.
“The pharmacists also communicate with community pharmacies, the hospital, and other services.”
Other benefits of the pilot project include:
- it is easier for older people to talk with someone about their situation and medications
- they can receive independent advice about medication
- access to medication reviews
- access to education about medications
- opportunity for individual questions answered
- improved safety
- a more efficient way for older people to improve their health, and for health professionals to work together
- strengthens the clinical team within the general practice
- pharmacists are a valuable resource for the GPs and nurses.
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