Evidence on the effectiveness of community pharmacy minor ailment schemes

A rapid review of the evidence on the effectiveness of community pharmacy minor ailment schemes has been published.

Systematic searching has revealed few relevant papers on community pharmacist minor ailment schemes. The majority of papers used to inform the review came from high level searching. Overall there was a lack of high quality evidence.

 

There was observational evidence that community pharmacy minor ailment schemes improve access for patients to advice and that they reduce GP consultations for minor ailments, but not overall workload. 

 

There was little evidence on the effect of minor ailment schemes on patient outcomes. Further research is required.

 

The evidence was inconclusive with regard to cost effectiveness, but suggested there were potential cost savings with pharmacy minor ailment schemes compared with GP consultations for minor ailments.  

 

The evidence showed that community pharmacists were capable of treating minor ailments and that many individuals were satisfied with the advice and treatment they received at community pharmacies for minor ailments. Whether community pharmacy minor ailment schemes save money for the NHS would depend on whether the cost of no-longer needed GP consultations for minor ailments could be recovered. The report says care should be taken to avoid redirecting individuals who are successfully managing minor ailments on their own, into NHS services.

 

This review will inform LHB Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments focusing on the management of minor ailments. 

 

The document is available to download from: Rapid review of the evidence on the effectiveness of community pharmacy minor ailment schemes (Word, 475KB)