What are pharmacies for? The role of community pharmacies in primary care

Healthwatch Buckinghamshire wanted to find out whether people were more aware of the services that pharmacies provided in the light of plans to expand the services that pharmacies provide.  They ran a survey between 5 April and 13 June 2023 and compared the results with similar research they did in 2017.

In 2017, the number of people aware that some pharmacies could offer services also provided by a GP surgery was just over half of those we talked to. In 2023, just over three quarters of respondents were aware of these services.

Most people knew pharmacies supply prescribed medication. Three quarters knew that they could dispose of unwanted / out-of-date medicines. A lower proportion of people identifying as an ethnicity other than White British had heard of the medicine disposal service, compared to those identifying as White British.

Most people knew pharmacies provided advice about minor conditions. Over three quarters of respondents had sought help for a minor condition (e.g. a rash, earache or flu) from a pharmacy. Women, those aged 56+, and carers were more likely to seek advice about minor conditions there. Most feedback about their experience was very positive. The most popular reasons for using a pharmacy for this service were convenience and having obtained good information from a pharmacist in the past.

Half of the respondents knew that a community pharmacy could provide advice on healthy living. However, few people said they used, or would use, a pharmacy to seek this advice. Most felt they did not need this advice.

Half of the respondents knew they could seek help to stop smoking from a community pharmacist. However, there was a lower knowledge of this amongst those under 56, and people identifying as White British.

Nearly half of respondents knew they could ask their community pharmacist about advice on medication following hospital discharge or when they had been prescribed new medicines for a long term condition.

Most people knew they could get a flu jab at a pharmacy. Nearly three quarters had had one in the last two years. Nearly half had their jab in a pharmacy. Of those who had a flu jab elsewhere, most had it at a GP surgery because it was the easiest option or because someone at the surgery offered it during a phone call / visit to the surgery.

Two thirds of respondents were aware they could get their blood pressure checked in a community pharmacy. While less than 16% had used a pharmacy for a blood pressure check, or to get advice about a new medicine prescribed for a long term condition, 63% told us they would use these services at a pharmacy. Interestingly, a higher proportion of those visiting a pharmacy less than once a month said they would use the blood pressure check service there, compared to more regular users.

Nearly half of the people asked knew they could acquire emergency contraception or chlamydia screening at a pharmacy. There was greater knowledge of sexual health services at a pharmacy amongst younger people; those identifying as an ethnicity other than White British; those living without an long-term condition; and those living in a levelling up ward than compared to their counterpart groups. Whilst less than 8% had used a pharmacy for emergency contraception or chlamydia screening service, 38-40% said they would use these services at a pharmacy.

Whilst many people felt their local pharmacy was caring and they received a good service, others were concerned about access to local pharmacies, understaffing and a wait for certain types of medication.

The report contains recommendations for the local ICB to improve awareness and usage of services offered by pharmacies.