Southdowns Pharmacy Group awarded for excellence in patient safety

Nemesh Patel says that embracing technology to alleviate workforce pressure is paramount for patient safety

Southdowns Pharmacy Group was honoured for its outstanding efforts to uphold patient safety standards, particularly in the dispensing of valproate, at the recent Independent Pharmacy Association (IPA) Ball 2024 in London.

Expressing his joy upon receiving the IPA Patient Safety Award, Nemesh Patel, Managing Director of the Southdowns Pharmacy Group, said: “IPA is an organisation that represents thousands of independent pharmacies, and to achieve such recognition is truly humbling and exciting at the same time.

“Our teams work exceptionally hard for their patients and to be recognised amongst hundreds of other pharmacies is truly wonderful.”

Southdowns Pharmacy Group serves the communities of Emsworth, Havant, Leigh Park, and Rowlands Castle in East Hampshire.

Patient Safety Initiatives

When asked about the initiatives that earned this accolade, Nemesh explained:

"Our teams have completed several audits over the past 24 months to identify patients taking valproate products who may become pregnant.

“Pharmacists, including myself, have engaged with these patients to discuss the risks associated with taking valproate during pregnancy.”

Nemesh highlighted the serious risks associated with sodium valproate, a medicine prescribed as a treatment for epilepsy and bipolar disorder, when taken during pregnancy.

He warned that the drug can lead to birth defects in approximately 10 per cent of babies exposed in the womb and developmental problems in 30-40 per cent of children born to mothers who used the medication while pregnant.

The Southdowns Pharmacy Group has implemented robust systems to monitor patients using valproate, ensure compliance with safety alert requirements, and identify at-risk individuals, providing them with the necessary information.

Nemesh elaborated: “We have demonstrably used Pregnancy Prevention Programmes and understand the associated risks, referring patients to local contraceptive services if appropriate.

“Our teams ensure that people who have not had a review within the last 12 months are referred to their GP or specialist, and they are aware of whom to contact if a patient’s circumstances change, documenting such referrals in the patient medication records.

“I believe our thoroughness and attention to patient safety led us to being recognised for this very important award,” he added.

Technology and Patient Safety

Nemesh emphasised the importance of technology to alleviate pressures on pharmacy teams and enhance patient safety.

He said: “Embracing technology such as Hub-and-Spoke dispensing, adopting PMR technology that uses bar-coded technology, outsourcing the production of blister packs and inception of robotic dispensing systems into the workplace helps reduce teams’ workload, enabling them to focus on patient care and safety.”

Future of Patient Safety

As the role of pharmacists as independent prescribers continues to grow, Nemesh stressed the need for having robust systems in place to guarantee patient safety.

“Independent prescribing will have an ever increasingly important role in pharmacy practice, and we will need robust systems and processes in place to maintain high levels of patient safety.”

He highlighted that their pharmacy teams are preparing to establish the necessary infrastructure, systems, and tools to maintain high standards of patient care, including regular risk assessments.

“The importance of independent prescribing cannot be underestimated,” he added, expressing confidence that the community pharmacy sector can “step up and excel in the opportunities provided by the NHS.”