Registered but not started (some hints & tips)

Registered to provide PCS but not started? To help you and your teams we have pulled together some helpful hints & tips to support you through service implementation.

In the initial PCS pilot, 80% of services were for the “ongoing supply” service option. There is less clinical pressure with this option especially where the PMR indicates the product has already been prescribed for many months by the GP.

Golden Nugget 1:  Aim to complete an “ongoing supply” as soon as possible.

(Ideally before the pharmacy receives a request for an “initiation” service).

• Consider identifying patients in your PMR due a repeat OC prescription?
• Tell them about the convenience of the new PCS service. Invite them to use your pharmacy for their next ‘ongoing’
• This will get you started, including experiencing the PharmOutcomes module and reporting service outcomes back to the GP. This will also build professional confidence ahead of your first PCS involving ‘initiation’ of OC.

Golden Nugget 2:  Ask your pharmacy team members for support.

• Many pharmacies have staff who have chosen to have their own OC prescriptions dispensed at their workplace pharmacy.
• They will be aware of this new service so perhaps ask them, as in (1) above, if they would consent to being your first patient? This would provide a ‘safe space’ for your first PCS service intervention and allow you to rehearse the commentary and phrases you might use to support your PCS service delivery.

Golden Nugget 3:  Turn stock shortages into an opportunity.

• At the time of writing there are some national shortages of certain brands of OC products.
• If a script is presented for an out-of-stock brand, the patient would normally be referred back to the prescriber to consider an alternative OC option.
• However, with PCS you may consider:
• if it was prescribed as a repeat (ie ongoing) supply, you could save the patient and the doctor the above inconvenience by offering an Ongoing Supply PCS service.

Endorse the script ‘ND’ then provide the clinical checks as per the SLA and supply an equivalent formulation OC product, subject to the PGD, and to patient consent.

• if the O/S brand was prescribed to the patient for the first time, you could offer the patient a PCS Initiation Service. Endorse the script ‘ND’ then provide the clinical checks as per the SLA and make an initial supply of an equivalent formulation OC, subject to the PGD, and to patient consent.

Golden Nugget 4: Tell a friend.

• The research consensus is that patients really like the service and are impressed by the thoroughness of pharmacists. (as they work through the PGD requirements).
• Your first patient for this is likely to be a regular customer already, so suggest that they tell a friend about your new pharmacy service – which will likely result in new customers coming to your pharmacy!

The key is to gently yet actively push yourself into the PCS service and get started with selected PCS interventions, ideally before surgery referrals start coming through.

Lots of Point of Sale  and resources are available on the CPE website.

• Small flyers to use on precription bags, etc(Microsoft Word)
• Template patient leaflet to promote the service (Microsoft Word)
• Briefing for pharmacy teams on the service(PDF)
• Pre-consultation questionnaire template(Microsoft Word)
• Pre-consultation questionnaire template(PDF)
• Patient leaflet to support provision of readings (Microsoft Word)
• Patient leaflet to support provision of readings (PDF)