The COPD Exacerbation Medicines Supply Service – commenced June 2021
For all healthcare professionals both in primary care and community.
Background
The COPD exacerbation medicines supply service was successfully piloted in Renfrewshire in 2019. The aim of the service was to provide easier access to exacerbation medicine for appropriate patients, and to lower hospital admissions. The Respiratory MCN has now agreed that the service should be rolled out across NHSGGC (COPD exacerbation medicines, supply via PGD), with the majority of community pharmacies having already signed up to provide the service.
Pathway
- GP, practice-based nurse or practice-based pharmacist, will assess the suitability of patients. This can be done during routine care appointments.
- A Chest Heart Stroke Scotland self- management plan (link to document, link does not work in Internet Explorer) can be used to discuss symptoms and when to use rescue pack medication. This plan can be given to the patient.
- A supply card should be signed by the healthcare professional. This informs the community pharmacist that the patient has been identified as suitable for the service.
Service
- Community pharmacist will supply doxycycline (1st line) or amoxicillin and/or prednisolone via PGD for the treatment of an exacerbation, or a supply for the individual to have at home.
- Patients can have a maximum of 2 courses in 3 months and up to 3 courses in a year, using this method.
- The roll out of this service will be gradual and patients can be identified as suitable during any routine appointments they have in primary care.
Every practice in NHSGGC has received 30 patient held cards. Further supplies can be ordered via the normal local stationery route for the practice.
Any queries, please contact your local prescribing support team.
Published 09/07/2021. Medicines update blogs are correct at the time of publication.