RPS President Professor Claire Anderson has written in today's Times about the expertise and clinical skills of pharmacists who either prescribe or provide antimicrobials under patient group direction. 

Claire was responding to an article published in The Times and subsequent criticism of Government plans to enable greater prescribing by pharmacists. Her letter submitted to The Times is as follows:

"Pharmacists prescribe in many different areas and have an impact across many conditions.

"Pharmacists have provided antibiotics to patients safely for many years and often lead on reducing antimicrobial resistance in community and hospital sectors so the idea floated by the Government is not new (Chemists to prescribe antibiotics under Coffey health plan Sat 15 October).

"Pharmacists are experts in medicines and every day use their clinical skills to assess and treat patients with antibiotics, either as prescribers themselves or under agreed protocols with the local NHS teams. This means patients who need treatment get it via accessible and convenient NHS services from professionals who have full understanding of the principles of optimising therapy and minimising antibiotic resistance. Pharmacists also spend considerable time educating patients about the misuse or overuse of antibiotics.

"Patients should always complete their course of antibiotics and never share them with others as this is unsafe and can increase antibiotic resistance. Our members are currently promoting an ‘antibiotic amnesty’ campaign to remove unwanted antibiotics from circulation, so if the Secretary of State does indeed possess any leftover medicines she is welcome to drop them off at her local pharmacy, where they will be disposed of safely."

Professor Claire Anderson

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