1. Chronic Medication Service (CMS)

2. Programme Introduction Pharmaceutical Care Planning - Ray ePharmacy Programme – Dawn, IM & T Workshops – Niall, Michelle, Aileen, Allan & Rhona

3. What is the Chronic Medication Service (CMS)? CMS is the fourth and final core element of the Community Pharmacy Contract. CMS offers patients an enhanced service from community pharmacists. Rx’s can be issued for up to 48 weeks Pharmacists can develop pharmaceutical care plans CMS is based on shared care between the pharmacist and the GP.

4. What are the Benefits of CMS? CMS will: build on and strengthen existing good pharmacy practice encourage joint working between GPs & CP’s improve patient care. The purpose of CMS is to further develop the contribution of community pharmacists in the management of individual patients with long-term conditions by improving their understanding of their medicines and working in partnership with them and other healthcare practitioners to maximise the clinical outcomes from their therapy.

5. CMS aims to: Improve patient care through a systematic approach to pharmaceutical care of patients with long term conditions. Formalise the role of community pharmacists to manage patients by making better use of their skills and expertise to improve a patient’s understanding of their medicines. Maximise clinical outcomes from therapy and provide a framework to support collaborative working between community pharmacists, patients and GPs.

6. Key Messages The Chronic Medication Service is available in every community pharmacy across Scotland. It is for people with long term conditions who require medications on a regular basis. The pharmacist will work closely with the GP & patient to ensure medicines are appropriate. The aim being to improve patients’ understanding of their medicines and give them more control over their condition. Continuity of care – as patients will be regularly visiting their local community pharmacy they will develop a better relationship with the pharmacist. There will be less medicines wastage as pharmacists will have regular contact with patients and ensure that any prescribed medicines are necessary and suitable.

7. CMS aims to ensure systems are in place to: Minimise adverse drug reactions Address existing/ prevent potential problems with medicines Provide structured follow up Provide referral interventions as and when necessary.