Medicines optimisation: How should value be measured?
That medicine use should deliver value is beyond debate but there is much less agreement about just how that value should be defined and measured.
It is accepted that assessing value means more than simply looking at the price tag of a medicine. A cheap medicine that is difficult for patients to take as prescribed – leading to a worsening of condition and need for other healthcare interventions – is clearly a false economy. Medicines optimisation is therefore increasingly seen as requiring a holistic approach, with all relevant healthcare professionals involved alongside – crucially – patients themselves.
The idea is that patients should be a key part of helping decide which medicines work best for them. Put another way: a key part of helping to decide which medicines are most valuable to them.
But where does the balance lie in this complicated value equation? How should value ultimately be assessed, measured and reported on? And what does effective medicines optimisation mean across an integrated care system?
This HSJ webinar, run in association with Spirit Health, brought together a small panel to consider these complicated issues.
She is also principal pharmacist for medicines optimisation at NHS London Procurement Partnership, where she works on medicines optimisation projects across the NHS and explores how to share and spread best practice.
Kalveer has a national role too, as lead pharmacist for NHS England’s rheumatology clinical reference group and as chair of Rheumatology Pharmacists UK.
