On World Pharmacists Day, we thank all pharmacists for their commitment, compassion, and leadership in delivering better patient outcomes through optimised, patient-centred care. We recognise the invaluable contribution pharmacists make to our healthcare system. As experts in medicines management, pharmacists are at the forefront of improving patient outcomes, promoting medication safety, and ensuring that treatments remain appropriate, effective, and tailored for the individual’s needs.
In an ever increasingly complex healthcare system, many patients live with multiple long-term conditions and are prescribed several medicines simultaneously. While these treatments can be clinically appropriate, the use of polypharmacy can sometimes increase the risk of adverse effects, drug interactions, reduced adherence, and unnecessary healthcare costs.
We are also living in a world of long waitlists where patients are patiently waiting for their pain assessments, mental health interventions or have arrived at the end of the line in terms of traditional medicines.
As real-world evidence and clinical experience continues to grow, pharmacists are increasingly involved in conversations surrounding Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMPs). For some patients living with chronic pain and other eligible conditions, CBMPs may potentially provide an alternative treatment option when conventional therapies have proven unsuitable, ineffective, or poorly tolerated.
As healthcare systems continue to focus on delivering more personalised and tailored care, pharmacists remain at the forefront of medicines optimisation initiatives. Their role extends beyond dispensing medicines. Pharmacists are trusted healthcare professionals who empower patients, improve medication safety, and help ensure that treatment plans evolve alongside changing clinical needs. By helping reduce inappropriate prescribing, minimising unnecessary medication burden, and supporting cost-effective treatment choices, pharmacists contribute significantly to both patient wellbeing and healthcare efficiency.
Through their expertise in medicines management, commitment to patient safety, and growing involvement in innovative treatment pathways, pharmacists continue to make a profound difference to the lives of patients every day.
Pharmacists play a very important role in improving patient outcomes by optimising medicines management. Through medication reviews, pharmacists are well placed to identify and advise patients on medicines optimisation.
It is estimated that by the end of this year 160,000 patients in the UK will be currently being prescribed Cannabis-Based Medicinal Products (CBMPs). Many self referred after being disappointed by their traditional medication or having spent a significant amount of time on an NHS waitlist, waiting for example for their pain treatment assessment. Many have had a soft verbal referral from their doctor, hinting towards “Maybe trying X” and “Do you know how to get it” (wink wink). Pharmacists could very well support patient identification and informed prescribing discussions for patients who could potentially benefit from CBMPs.
As healthcare evolves, pharmacists will continue to lead medicines management to reduce unnecessary medication burden and polypharmacy, drive medicines optimisation and patient choice. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if CBMPs would play a bigger role in this, like in many other countries in the world?
