PDA partners with Aston University to expand pharmacists' role in clinical services

Research outcomes set to bolster PDA's NHS advocacy, paving the way for enhanced pharmacist involvement in patient care

In a bid to amplify the role of pharmacists in clinical services and vaccination programs, the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has embarked on a groundbreaking collaboration with Aston University.

This initiative, funded by Innovate UK Business Connect, aims to explore the feasibility and impact of integrating additional healthcare interventions within community pharmacies.

"The Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) research project represents an exciting opportunity to advance the role of pharmacists in patient care," remarked Alison Jones, Director of Policy at PDA.

"This project will be an important part of that evolution, supporting individual pharmacists to have more opportunities to practice and so develop more fulfilling careers."

Led by the PDA and Aston University, the project will commence imminently, focusing on the Priory Community Pharmacy in Dudley.

Researchers will assess various healthcare interventions that pharmacists could offer alongside flu and Covid-19 vaccinations, including lifestyle interventions, blood pressure monitoring, and screening for conditions like atrial fibrillation and raised cholesterol levels.

Moreover, the research findings are poised to reinforce the PDA's advocacy efforts within the NHS, potentially leading to an expanded role for pharmacists in patient care.

By integrating pharmacists more deeply into the healthcare landscape, the initiative aims to mitigate health disparities and foster closer collaboration with the broader NHS framework.

"There are already some moves to enable pharmacists working in the community to deliver more aspects of clinical care," explained Alison Jones, PDA Director of Policy.

"With appropriate training, pharmacists can also take on some aspects of the prescribing of medicines."

"This project will be an important part of that evolution, supporting individual pharmacists to have more opportunities to practice and so develop more fulfilling careers,” she further added.

The overarching goal of this collaboration is to furnish NHS policymakers with compelling evidence supporting the integration of enhanced clinical services within community pharmacies.

One pivotal aspect of the study involves gathering feedback from pharmacists regarding the acceptability and practicality of these proposed service expansions.

Focusing on patient care and the role of pharmacists, professor Langley said:

“Since COVID, the way we deliver healthcare has changed. We have a backlog in diagnosing underlying disease and at the same time fewer face-to-face consultations. If we can make use of the time that pharmacists have with patients during their vaccinations to deliver other services, then that could help to ensure patients are diagnosed and can receive treatment much more quickly.”

Dr. Jason Tang, Research Associate, will extend invitations to PDA members in the upcoming months, facilitating their active involvement in shaping the future of pharmacy practice.

The partnership between the PDA and Aston University is set to herald a transformative shift in the role of pharmacists, empowering them to deliver more comprehensive healthcare interventions and enriching their professional endeavors.