👩⚕️Why Every GP Practice Needs a PCN Pharmacist
Introduction: A Shift in the Primary Care Landscape
Primary care in England is under constant pressure. GP appointments are at record highs, patient expectations are growing, and the prevalence of long-term conditions continues to rise. At the same time, practices are struggling with staff shortages and burnout.
To meet these challenges, the NHS has reimagined the way care is delivered — moving from a GP-led model to a team-based, multidisciplinary system through Primary Care Networks (PCNs). At the heart of this new model is the PCN pharmacist, an expert clinician who brings medicines optimisation, prescribing support, and patient care together under one roof.
Pharmacists in general practice are not a luxury or an optional extra — they are an essential part of the workforce, improving safety, outcomes, and efficiency for both patients and healthcare professionals.
The Case for Pharmacists in Every Practice
Every GP practice prescribes medicines — but managing those medicines safely and effectively is increasingly complex. Here’s why having a pharmacist embedded within your team makes a measurable difference:
- Medicines are the most common NHS intervention – and often the riskiest when not managed well.
- Workload related to prescriptions (repeats, queries, changes, safety checks) takes up to 40–50% of GP admin time.
- Medication-related harm accounts for around 10% of hospital admissions among older adults.
Pharmacists bring the deep medicines knowledge and clinical capacity needed to tackle these issues head-on.
The Strategic Role of a PCN Pharmacist
PCN pharmacists are qualified clinicians who work directly with GPs, nurses, and other professionals to optimise the use of medicines and deliver safer, more effective care. Their responsibilities typically include:
- Conducting Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) to improve safety and adherence.
- Running or supporting long-term condition (LTC) clinics for hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and COPD.
- Managing repeat prescribing and medication synchronisation.
- Advising on evidence-based prescribing and NICE guidance.
- Handling patient queries, especially around side effects or treatment concerns.
- Leading on clinical audits and medicines optimisation programmes.
Their impact extends beyond individual patients — it strengthens the entire system of care within the practice.
Improving Patient Experience and Outcomes
Patients benefit enormously from pharmacist involvement. They gain access to longer consultations focused specifically on their medicines, often leading to better understanding and confidence.
Pharmacists take time to explain:
- Why each medicine has been prescribed
- How and when to take it safely
- What side effects to look out for
- How medicines fit with lifestyle and other conditions
This education increases adherence, reduces avoidable side effects, and fosters trust between patients and the practice team.
Reducing GP Workload and Enhancing Efficiency
GPs are facing an ever-increasing volume of clinical and administrative work. By taking on medicines-related responsibilities, pharmacists free up GP time for complex cases.
For example:
- A pharmacist can manage follow-ups for stable hypertensive or diabetic patients.
- They can handle medication changes requested by specialists.
- They can authorise repeat prescriptions safely and consistently.
This reduces GP burnout, shortens waiting times, and improves access for patients.
Supporting the Practice to Meet Targets
PCN pharmacists directly contribute to achieving key NHS priorities and funding frameworks, including:
- Investment and Impact Fund (IIF) indicators, such as SMR delivery, prescribing safety, and hypertension case finding.
- Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) targets for long-term condition control.
- Medicines Value Programme goals on cost-effective and safe prescribing.
In other words, pharmacists help practices not just survive, but succeed in the evolving NHS landscape.
The Wider Benefits for the Practice Team
Pharmacists support not just doctors, but the entire multidisciplinary team (MDT). They work alongside:
- Nurses, ensuring that medication changes align with LTC care plans.
- Admin staff, by handling prescription queries directly.
- Care coordinators and social prescribers, by addressing medicines-related barriers to care.
- Community pharmacies, by facilitating communication on stock, changes, and patient concerns.
Their presence enhances team morale, confidence, and clinical safety.
Future Outlook: Pharmacists as Core Clinicians
The role of the PCN pharmacist is set to expand even further. With more pharmacists becoming independent prescribers, they will be able to manage and initiate treatment directly — increasing access and responsiveness.
In future, we can expect pharmacists to:
- Run independent clinics for chronic diseases.
- Lead on population health projects using data analytics.
- Provide advanced clinical leadership across PCNs and Integrated Care Systems (ICSs).
How Prescribing Care Direct Supports Practices
At Prescribing Care Direct, we help practices and PCNs to:
- Integrate skilled PCN pharmacists seamlessly into existing teams.
- Deliver measurable outcomes across SMRs, clinics, and audits.
- Strengthen medicines optimisation and clinical governance.
- Reduce workload pressures through tailored pharmacist deployment.
Our pharmacists bring not just experience, but energy, adaptability, and patient-centred care.
Conclusion: A Strategic, Safe, and Smart Investment
Every GP practice can benefit from a pharmacist’s expertise. They bring clinical rigour, operational efficiency, and compassion — all essential qualities in today’s NHS.
Investing in a PCN pharmacist is not just about meeting contractual requirements; it’s about building a sustainable, high-performing primary care team that delivers safer and better care for patients.
📞 Call to Action:
If your practice or PCN is ready to enhance capacity, improve safety, and strengthen patient outcomes, partner with Prescribing Care Direct today.
👉 Contact us to explore how our pharmacists can support your goals.