Review of repeat prescriptions by pharmacists is effective and cost effective

Review of elderly patients on repeat prescriptions by a pharmacist could ensure appropriate treatment and cut costs. In a randomised controlled trial in four practices, Zermansky and colleagues (p 1340) found that a consultation with a clinical pharmacist resulted in more changes to prescribing than normal care, without increasing the workload of general practices. The changes resulted in savings in drug expenditure that were greater than the cost of the intervention. During the one year study the pharmacist reviewed 97% of the patients in the intervention group, whereas general practitioners reviewed 44% of the controls.