How this fits in

The structured medication review (SMR) service is a new patient-centred, outcome-focused approach to medicines optimisation implemented by pharmacists working in primary care networks (PCNs). Its introduction has been protracted owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SMR is intended to alleviate workload pressures on GPs and deliver improvements to patient care and outcomes, particularly problematic polypharmacy. This study found that the SMR is currently not well organised in clinics; arrangements for patients vary considerably, it is often provided as an ad hoc service by telephone, and implementation of the intended service is patchy. Departures from SMR service specifications could have important short-and long-term implications for patient-centred practices; further study of implementation is required if the service is to meet policy aspirations.