Clinical Pharmacist calling

[6538]

I had a text from the surgery recently saying to expect a call from clinical pharmacist some time in early February, anybody know what I can expect her to ask, thanks.

[peege]

I'm guessing to go through your prescribed medications? For what reason I cannot imagine although I'm getting cynical and wondering for who's benefit it will be yours or a cost saving endeavour on behalf of the surgery 🤔

[PaperQueen in reply to peege]

No doubt cost saving. I much prefer face to face appointments.

[Swizzy]

They go through your drugs with you to check that you are having the ones you need and are satisfied.

[helenlw7]

I’ve had a variety of people do my medication review - a nurse in the surgery, a nurse in my home, a pharmacist and a paramedic. My old gp just used to tack the box on his computer if I was in for another issue.

[islande]

they check your taking your meds ok and know what their for

[knitter]

I had a face to face meeting with a clinical pharmacist , I had to fill in a form before the appointment if I remember rightly .

She went through my symptoms and medications , suggested a new inhaler , I said I would think about it first . She said the option was open if I decided to try it

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

The clinical pharmacists are attached to each primary care network and in my experience are worth their weight in gold!

They will review your current regime of meds and give you the opportunity to discuss any queries you have with your medication. Hoping it is useful for you.

Go well

Pauline

[6538 in reply to PaulineHM]

Thanks for your reply, yes it is useful.

[Suzie42]

I had face to face with clinical pharmacist and was a complete waste of time, as I'm on special medication which are delivered to me, she hadn't heard of them and I knew more than her, they try to get me to see her yearly but I now decline. If I have an query with medication I phone clinical pharmacist at my hospital who are more knowledgeable with complex medical conditions

[Ergendl]

I prefer doing the medicine review with the pharmacist at my dispensing chemist as the one at my GP surgery tends to change things to cheaper brands without even seeing me. Then it's "here we go again" and another couple of months of long explanations and struggle to avoid the capsule versions that do me harm. Things settle for a couple of years, and then, "here we go again"on the hamster wheel.

[madonbrew]

Mine was very helpful…she checked through everything and made sure of what I was taking. Checked I was managing to take everything properly because I have a lot and I asked if I wanted them put in a prepared dosset box .

I think I have a particularly good surgery for these days, where things get done averagely pretty well!

[Alberta56]

I had a decent chat with the clinical pharmacist. I was able to ask if one of my meds was necessary anymore. He suggested coming off it to try. (It turned out to be necessary after all.) If I get another appointment I have 2 or 3 more questions to ask. All very civilised.

[Numptybrain]

I had one and they decided to half my MST’s and opiods to see how my pain reacted. I managed 8 weeks of agony before I had to call them and get them back to normal dose. My spine is worse now though than before, I can’t even stand for too long but I have put weight on with the yo yo ing prednisone from 30 to 5 then a couple of months back up.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Smilesalot in reply to Numptybrain]

Omg you lasted eight weeks. Ur so strong and brave !!!!!!The most I ever lasted was 3 days to a week. Unless I was reducing carefully and with my full consent.

I'm in agony 😩 today but am slowly increasing until I can cope as opposed to feeling no pain.

Extra hugs for ur bravery🤗😍 extra respect for lasting hun.

On Friday my Dr decided I didn't have pmr. So I've to reduce the prednisolone by 2 mg every two weeks.

Ouch.

I feel for you but I can't wait to lose the weight I've put on🙁. I hate being hungry all the time.

I know you understand hun?

I hope things get better for you hugs🤗😍

dawn

[Numptybrain in reply to Smilesalot]

Thank you xx

[Cruise1]

I had one of those phone calls - she was trying to push statins. Had had the same call 12 months previously. Have got high cholesterol as I pointed out to her for the second time. Are GPS getting extra money to prescribe them?

[peege in reply to Cruise1]

My sister refused them (with the knowledge our mother had a stroke and both grandparents died of stroke, result: she had a massive stroke 3+ years ago. Cannot stand or look after herself in any way whatsoever

[Cruise1 in reply to peege]

Sorry my post should have read I haven’t got high cholesterol.

[peege in reply to Cruise1]

Ah, I see now how annoying it must be. I'm not scared of much but it's always in the back of my mind that I absolutely cannot end up like my sister as I live alone far away from my family members. Severe stroke can be so awful. We have Familial High Cholesterol in my family, mine was measured 8.3 at a very fit age 50 & weighing 8 stone 7lbs 🙄

[PaperQueen]

I would imagine it will be for a drug review. I had my review with the practice pharmacist by phone last year. x

[Turnipgirl in reply to PaperQueen]

Back in 2022 I had a phone appointment with the practice pharmacist about my medications and I found her very nice!

All it is is a boring old box ticking exercise and nothing to get worried about!

[purdeyspringer]

Probably like mine medication review, doctors have started passing this over to them. Nothing to worry about.

[purdeyspringer]

Probably like mine medication review, doctors have started passing this over to them. Nothing to worry about.

[Thepainterswife in reply to purdeyspringer]

Given that GP’s no longer seem to do house calls , it’s impossible to get a telephone consultation on the day , medical reviews have been passed to pharmacist and blood tests and health checks are done by the practice nurse can anyone explain exactly what a Gp does these days ? That isn’t sarcasm I would really like to know I recently tried to get the dosage of my Omeprozole increased , couldn’t speak to a dr , pharmacist wasn’t allowed to do it automatically but put a request in which seemed to be ignored so going through the receptionist it took three days for the GP to sign it off 🤷🏼‍♀️ What are they so busy doing ???

[fallon12]

Hi,

They will go through your medication with you and ask if you have any problems or worries about your health. If you say yes they get the receptionist to call and make an appointment. Long way round but I’m sure it’s to save them money.

[WheezyLass]

I am very cynical about this as as far as I can tell it is about the practice saving money not about patient needs . A friend is such a person and she works in another part of England but told me that they have targets to reduce drug costs - in the first place seeing if there are drug you don't use/need any more use secondly to change from branded products to generic and thirdly to advise that some of your products can be bought online thereby reducing the cost of having you as a patient to the practice..

I was appalled by what she told me I declined to have such an appointment so await the practice getting in touch

[Maximonkey]

He/She will ask about our medication and how you are managing your meds. Don't worry it's just a simple conversation. Maximonkey