Medicines Optimisation

Question 1

Define the term medicines optimisation

Answer 1

The safe and effective use of medicines to enable the best possible outcomes

Question 2

What is the difference between medicine optimisation and medicine management (2)

Answer 2

Medicines optimisation focuses on outcomes and patients

Medicines management focuses on processes and systems

Question 3

Explain the first principle of medicines optimisation - aim to understand the patients experience

Answer 3

Up to half of all patients do not take their medicines as recommended

1) need ongoing, open dialogue with patient/carer
- patients more engaged
- patients beliefs and preferences understood
- patients able to use medicines as agreed
- patients feel confident to share experiences and views

Question 4

What are the four guiding principles of medicines optimisation (4)

Answer 4

1) aim to understand the patients experience
2) evidence based choice of medicines
3) ensure medicines use is a safe as possible
4) make medicines optimisation part of routine practice

Question 5

Explain why we need medicine optimisation (2)

Answer 5

1) only 16% of patients take new medicines as prescribed, have no problems with it and receive all the information they need
2) 10 days after starting a new medicine almost 33% of patients are non- adherent (intentional and non intentional)

Question 6

Explain the second principle of medicines optimisation - evidence based choice of medicines (2)

Answer 6

1) ensure most appropriate medicines ( clinically effective and cost effective) are used
2) national institute for health and care excellence:
- stop medicines that are no longer needed
- decisions about access to medicines is transparent
- optimal patient outcomes

Question 7

Explain the third principle of medicines optimisation- ensure medicines use is as safe as possible (4)

Answer 7

1) responsibility of all healthcare professionals, organisations and patients
2) should be discussed with patients/ carers
3) covers all aspects of medicines use, including : unwanted effects, interactions, processes and systems , communication between professionals and patients
4) safe use of medicines avoids harm, increases patients confidence , patient feels able to ask questions or for help, patients report side effects which increases reports to the MHRA , unused medicines are returned to pharmacies

Question 8

Explain the fourth principle of medicines optimisation - make medicines optimisation part of routine practice (8)

Answer 8

1) when patients don’t take their medicines as recommended it costs the NHS half a billion a year in lost patient benefits
2) patients feel able to talk to anyone
3) patients receive consistent messages
4) signpost patients to further help or local support groups
5) inter-professional and agency communication improved
6) waste is reduced
7) NHS gets better value for money
8) impact of medicines optimisation is routinely measured (audit)

Question 9

Discuss how you can increase medicines optimisation in the future (5)

Answer 9

1) discuss with patients their experience of medicine use
2) discuss with patients and colleagues about how to make medicines use safer
3) ensure medicines are clinically and cost effective
4) liaise with other professionals about optimising a patients medicines
5) record data to contribute to the evidence base.