BMA warns about changing repeat prescribing process
Involvement of pharmacists can help in prescribing drugs but will not remove the responsibility of GPs who initiate and provide prescriptions, local doctors have said.
The States is looking how it can change the laws so islanders can go longer than six months without paying for a GP appointment for long-term repeat prescriptions.
But the British Medical Association has explained that repeat prescribing was an area of risk which needs to be managed by the clinician responsible.
‘The period between repeat prescribing reviews will be determined by a combination of the medications being prescribed and patient-specific factors such as their medical history,’ said local BMA representative Mat Dorian.
‘It remains the responsibility of the doctor issuing the prescriptions to ensure that this is done in a safe and appropriate way.’
The General Medical Council and Royal College of General Practitioners have guidelines on this, including ensuring medications remain clinically appropriate, checking compliance, monitoring for side effects and assessing control of relevant medical conditions.
‘Pharmacy involvement is a crucial part of safe prescribing, and liaison between GPs and pharmacists can help greatly with the repeat prescribing process,’ said Dr Dorian.
‘Involvement of pharmacists is particularly useful where access to primary care is limited, but will not remove the ultimate responsibility and sign off from the GP who initiated and continues to provide the prescription.’
He said that surgeries could assist in managing payments.
