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Originally Posted by gaby

thanks!!!

Originally Posted by gaby

im abit confused about medicines management, is it all about managing their budget and reducing waste?

edit: while on my afternoon of work experience. the pharmacist changed a drug to a cheaper version that did the same job, is this medicines management in action?

Gaby

I guess your example could be called medicines management, as it's managing the drug bill for the hospital. All hospitals have to manage their budgets, and the drugs one is one of the biggest ones they have. I think the examples set out in the first quote give you better examples of this though, so I'd use one of these to talk about if you have to.

Here's a few defenitions, I personally think the first is the best one: -

What is medicines management?

Medicines management is about helping health professionals and patients make the right treatment choices. This is an evidence based approach to product choices which balances the safety, tolerability, effectiveness, price and simplicity of treatments. The list below gives you some examples of the types of things which come under "medicines management" - there are many more!

• Giving health professionals unbiased information on a new drug
• Asking a patient if they have any unwanted effects from their medicines
• Talking to carers about medicines and any concerns they may have
• Developing a local guideline for asthma management
• Giving advice on how to dispose of medicines safely
• Giving advice on safe systems for ordering medicines from the surgery

What is Medicines Management?

Medicines management is a system of processes and behaviours that determines how medicines are used by patients and by the NHS. Effective medicines management places the patient as the primary focus, thus delivering better targeted care and better informed individuals.


Medicines Management


Community Pharmacists are experts on medicines. This expertise is being put to good use in nine areas across the country where they are taking part in the Community Pharmacy Medicines Management Project.

Working with doctors and other health care professionals community pharmacists are helping NHS patients to get the most from their medicines so that they suffer fewer symptoms, experience less side effects and understand their treatment better. All things that make for happier healthier patients.