Executive Summary
Medicine supply is vital for individuals living at home in the last year of life (end-of-life). Without this, symptoms cannot be effectively managed, causing high levels of distress. For community pharmacists (CPs), medicine supply to those at end-of-life was central to their role, significantly impacting individuals and their families:
These are the most vulnerable people at the most vulnerable time looking to spend time [together] at the end of their life and a prescription [without the medicine] is no use to them nor their family . . . CP16, independent
Our submission focuses on the issues related to palliative and end of life Medicine Supply including stock levels, the impact of shortages, communication breakdowns, and inadequate stock level monitoring. The ActMed study highlighted significant issues affecting supply of medicines into community pharmacy in the context of end-of-life care.
The response authors are responding on behalf of the ActMed Study team.
Authors
Dr Natasha Campling, Associate Professor in Palliative and End of Life Care, School of Health Sciences, University of Southampton. Co-leader of the School's Palliative and End of Life Care Research Group.
Professor Sue Latter, Professor of Health Services Research and Leader of the Medicines Management Research Group in Health Sciences, University of Southampton.
