The role of pharmacists in supporting service users to optimise antipsychotic medication

Abstract

Pharmacists have a contribution to make in improving optimising medication use for people on antipsychotic medication. The rates of prescribing antipsychotics have increased in England with an 18% rise from 2015 to 2020. People on antipsychotic medication are not treated as equal partners in conversations about their medications. This can leave people to make decisions about their antipsychotic medications without input from their prescribers which can have significant consequences for individuals. Involving people in the decision-making process, as experts on their own condition, has the potential to improve treatment outcomes. The evidence suggests that involving pharmacists in supporting people with serious mental illnesses will lead to improved clinical outcomes. Key areas for pharmacist involvement are providing information, education and counselling on antipsychotic medication and the side effects and reducing polypharmacy especially when antipsychotics are prescribed off license.

Effectiveness of clinical pharmacist interventions in optimizing pharmacotherapy for somatic comorbidities in serious mental illness: A clinical audit

“… 1 , 12. , 13 , 14. Pharmacists are pivotal in optimizing medication therapy for psychiatric patients.…”

“…Pharmacists are pivotal in optimizing medication therapy for psychiatric patients. 14 Their roles encompass pharmaceutical care, medication therapy management (MTM), identifying and addressing drug-related problems (DRP), reducing polypharmacy, and various interventions to enhance healthcare suitability and decrease health disparities in SMI. 1 , 14 Crucially, the clinical pharmacist-patient relationship is key to maximizing treatment efficacy and minimizing adverse events through strategies that empower patients and increase adherence.…”

“… 14 Their roles encompass pharmaceutical care, medication therapy management (MTM), identifying and addressing drug-related problems (DRP), reducing polypharmacy, and various interventions to enhance healthcare suitability and decrease health disparities in SMI. 1 , 14 Crucially, the clinical pharmacist-patient relationship is key to maximizing treatment efficacy and minimizing adverse events through strategies that empower patients and increase adherence. A common issue in SMI care is the exclusion of patients from discussions about their medication, leading to uninformed and potentially harmful self-directed pharmacotherapy decisions.…”

“…A common issue in SMI care is the exclusion of patients from discussions about their medication, leading to uninformed and potentially harmful self-directed pharmacotherapy decisions. 14 This can result in serious adverse events and a cascade of negative health and socio-economic outcomes. 14 Hence, activating the clinical pharmacist-patient relationship within an integrated, multidisciplinary somatic healthcare framework in SMI settings is of utmost importance.…”

“… 14 This can result in serious adverse events and a cascade of negative health and socio-economic outcomes. 14 Hence, activating the clinical pharmacist-patient relationship within an integrated, multidisciplinary somatic healthcare framework in SMI settings is of utmost importance. 2 The pharmacist-led care service actively involves patients in decision-making, which evidence shows can optimize clinical outcomes.…”