ROLE FOR PHARMACY IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE, WELSH CROSS PARTY GROUP SAYS

According to a Welsh cross party group on pharmacy, pharmacists should have a greater role in mental health care in the community and prison environment.

A report from the inaugural meeting of the group, which is facilitated by the RPSGB’s Welsh directorate, indicated the role which pharmacy is able to play in the area and highlighted key issues regarding mental health care.

The report states that the services pharmacists are able to provide for people with and affected by mental health issues appeared to be badly recognised and poorly integrated into models of care.

The fact that pharmacists could play an important role in medicines adherence which could help to maintain the stability of people with mental health issues, is stressed throughout the report. The fact that there is clear potential for Medicines Use Reviews (MURs) to be targeted at mental health patients is also indicated.

Paul Gimson, director of the RPSGB’s Welsh directorate, said there had been high level of debates on professional issues by the group, which brought together Welsh Assembly members and those with an interest in pharmacy.

The Group will hold its next meeting later in the year to discuss rural health pharmacy services in Wales.