The ever-increasing role of the pharmacist in optimising medicines for older adults
| Event type: | Meeting |
| Date: | 17th June 2025 |
| Time: | 14:00 |
| Group: | Health Matters - OPEN |
| Venue: | Petersfield Community Centre |
with Alison Freemantle, MRPharmS
Ever wondered what goes on behind the dispensing bench? Why do they keep asking me the same questions? Do you know everything that’s available from your local pharmacist? Hopefully, Alison can help answer some of these questions.
‘We (i.e pharmacists) support provision and access to medications to ensure clinical outcomes are achieved; we supply and administer vaccinations; we ensure antimicrobial stewardship (preventing future drug resistance); we implement green initiatives to minimise environmental waste; we act as a first point of contact for healthcare advice in the community; … we carry out complex medication reviews; we educate the next generation of pharmacists (now graduating as prescribers from 2026)… Pharmacists are joining the MDT* as advanced clinical practitioners, educators and researchers. We support prescribing and deprescribing. Our role continues to evolve and develop.’
*multidisciplinary team
Extract taken from the British Geriatric Society website, 09/2024
Alison qualified as a pharmacist in 1996 and has worked in community pharmacy in various roles, including 13 years in service development at Lloyds' head office before moving back to Hampshire in 2017. She is now the Chief Officer of the Local Pharmaceutical Committee, Community Pharmacy Hampshire & Isle of Wight. This statutory body supports all community pharmacies, from the big multiples like Boots to the sole independent pharmacy, and she still works as a locum pharmacist two days a month.
Last Updated on 23rd May 2025