Medicines optimisation is a patient-centred, 4-principle approach aimed at ensuring patients receive the right medication at the right time to maximise clinical outcomes, reduce waste, improve safety, and enhance adherence.
It involves shared decision-making between clinicians and patients, particularly managing polypharmacy and long-term conditions.
The goal of medicines optimisation is to help patients to:
We have developed a free framework for all practice staff to improve their engagement with medicines optimisation.
The practice appoints a Medicines Optimisation Champion, completes the actions in each section of the framework over a one year period, and submits a self-assessment in order to receive a certificate of completion. The certificate is valid for one year and the self-assessment should be completed annually to renew the certificate.
The framework includes activities and development for general staff, prescription clerks and clinical staff.
Supporting resources including bulletins, briefings, webinars and ‘Look, Do, Review’ data are freely available to all staff, with additional e-learning courses available for a small fee.
A medicines optimisation-friendly general practice has many benefits including:
We've answered more frequently asked questions about the framework here.
