PrescQIPP

MO Friendly Practice Framework FAQs

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the format, process and benefits of our Medicines Optimsation Friendly Practice Framework.

The Medicines Optimisation (MO) Friendly Practice Framework is a quality improvement framework designed to help general practices demonstrate their commitment to safe, effective and patient-centred use of medicines.

The framework provides a structured approach to embedding medicines optimisation principles into routine practice and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
The framework is intended to support improvement, not inspection. It is based on professional trust, self-reflection and sharing good practice rather than extensive evidence collection.

Medicines are the most common intervention in healthcare and play a crucial role in improving health outcomes. However, medicines-related harm, inappropriate prescribing, poor adherence and inadequate monitoring can affect patient safety and outcomes.

The framework has been developed to:

  • Promote good prescribing practice
  • Improve medication safety
  • Support patient-centred care
  • Encourage multidisciplinary working
  • Recognise and share good practice
  • Support continuous quality improvement

Medicines optimisation is a person-centred approach to safe and effective medicines use that enables people to obtain the best possible outcomes from their medicines.

It focuses on:

  • Understanding the patient's experience
  • Evidence-based choice of medicines
  • Ensuring medicines use is as safe as possible
  • Making medicines optimisation part of routine practice

The framework is intended for all general practices.

Medicines optimisation is everyone's responsibility and involves the whole practice team, including:

  • GPs
  • Pharmacists
  • Pharmacy technicians
  • Nurses
  • Healthcare assistants
  • Practice managers
  • Reception and administrative staff

No. Participation is voluntary.

The framework is intended to support quality improvement and recognise practices that demonstrate a commitment to medicines optimisation.

Benefits may include:

  • Improved patient safety
  • Enhanced medicines governance
  • Increased staff awareness of medicines optimisation
  • Better prescribing and monitoring processes
  • Support for quality improvement activities
  • Recognition of good practice
  • Evidence of continuous improvement

No. The framework is based on professional trust and self-assessment. Practices are not expected to submit evidence for any criterion or standard.

Practices should complete the self-assessment honestly and use the framework as a tool for reflection, discussion and improvement.

An MO Champion is a nominated member of the practice team who promotes medicines optimisation and supports implementation of the framework.

The role is typically undertaken by a pharmacist or pharmacy technician, although it may also be undertaken by a GP or another suitably experienced clinician.

The MO Champion acts as a local advocate for medicines optimisation and helps coordinate quality improvement activities across the practice.

The MO Champion may:

  • Promote medicines optimisation principles
  • Share learning from safety incidents and audits
  • Coordinate annual medicines optimisation awareness activities
  • Signpost colleagues to relevant resources and guidanc
  • Encourage multidisciplinary engagement

The role is intended to support and influence practice-wide activity rather than undertake all medicines optimisation work personally.

No. While pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can play an important role in medicines optimisation, the framework is designed to be achievable by all practices regardless of workforce model.

Practices should identify the most appropriate individual to act as their MO Champion and coordinate activities locally.

Medicines optimisation is relevant to all members of the practice team.

Annual awareness training helps ensure that staff:

  • Understand medicines optimisation principles
  • Recognise their role in medication safety
  • Know how to escalate medicines-related concerns
  • Understand local processes and procedure
  • Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement

Does every member of staff need to attend the awareness session?

Practices are encouraged to ensure that all staff receive annual medicines optimisation awareness training appropriate to their role. This may include attendance at a practice-wide session or completion of equivalent local training.

No. Medicines optimisation extends beyond prescribing and includes:

  • Patient involvement in decisions
  • Medicines safety
  • Monitoring and follow-up
  • Medicines reconciliation
  • Repeat prescribing systems
  • Adherence support
  • Deprescribing where appropriate
  • Reducing medicines waste
  • Social prescribing

Practices are encouraged to review progress at least annually.

Many practices may choose to incorporate framework activities into existing quality improvement, prescribing, clinical governance or patient safety meetings.

Medicines optimisation is an ongoing process rather than a one-time achievement. Practice teams, systems, priorities and national guidance can change over time, and annual review helps ensure that medicines optimisation remains embedded within everyday practice.

Completing the self-assessment annually provides an opportunity to:

  • Reflect on progress made during the previous year
  • Identify new areas for improvement
  • Review medicines-related quality improvement activity
  • Refresh staff awareness and training
  • Ensure medicines optimisation remains a practice-wide priority
  • Share and celebrate good practice

MO Friendly Practice status and certification are valid for 12 months. Annual completion of the self-assessment helps demonstrate a continued commitment to safe, effective and patient-centred use of medicines.

The framework is not a formal CQC accreditation scheme. However, many elements align with CQC expectations regarding medicines optimisation, patient safety, governance, quality improvement and person-centred care.

Participation may help practices demonstrate evidence of good medicines governance and continuous improvement.

The framework is designed to be proportionate and pragmatic.

Most practices will already be undertaking many of the activities described within the framework. The emphasis is on recognising existing good practice and identifying opportunities for improvement, rather than generating additional paperwork or evidence.

MO Friendly Practice status is valid for 12 months. Practices are encouraged to undertake an annual review and self-assessment to renew their status and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to medicines optimisation.

The framework aims to support a culture of continuous improvement rather than a one-off accreditation exercise.

Why is medicines optimisation important?