27th April 2015
Dear Colleagues,
PPRS/MO Roadshow meeting 27th May 2015
We would like to invite you to our Medicines Optimisation Roadshow for local clinical,
financial & operational leaders to provide a platform to share best practice on medicines
optimisation and to consider further opportunities to maximise value from the use of
medicines.
This will form one of 15 events across the NHS in England delivered as a joint programme of
action by NHS England, AHSNs, and the ABPI. The primary aim is to improve patient
outcomes, quality and value from medicine use, guided by the principles of medicines
optimisation, and to create a clinical pull to accelerate the optimal use of innovative, clinical
and cost effective medicines which maximises the benefits of the PPRS Agreement.
Background
In May 2013, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society published guidance on medicines
optimisation. These can be found at: http://www.rpharms.com/promoting-pharmacypdfs/helping-patients-make-the-most-of-their-medicines.pdf. A number of organisations
endorsed the principles, including, helpfully, the Academy and the Association of the British
Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI). The principles were also supported by NHS England, through
Sir Bruce Keogh, Jane Cummings and Keith Ridge. As you may recall, the principles are
aimed at supporting patients and the public, and the professionals who care for them, to get
better outcomes, quality and value from their medicines, in the context of robust evidence of
sub-optimal use, avoidable harm and waste.
Earlier this year, the Government and the in patent, branded medicine, sector of the
pharmaceutical industry represented by ABPI concluded discussions on the Pharmaceutical
Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS). Details of the scheme can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pharmaceutical-price-regulation-scheme-2014.
PPRS is an important agreement that provides sustainability and predictability for all parties
involved and supports both value for money for the NHS and economic growth for the UK, and
a fair return on the investment that companies make in researching and developing new
medicines. Under the new five year voluntary PPRS, the pharmaceutical industry has agreed
to keep the net NHS expenditure on branded medicines in the scheme flat for 2 years and
within agreed controlled growth levels for a further three years. The industry will underwrite
any further expenditure by the NHS with agreed exclusions.
With the full support of Government through the Ministerial Industry Strategy Group, NHS
England, the AHSN Network, and the ABPI have established a joint programme of action to
encourage implementation of the principles of medicines optimisation and take advantage of
the PPRS. Its aspirations are complementary to and aligned with the work of Innovation,
Health and Wealth and to the 5 Year Forward View (5YFV) which as the system wide
document is clear in its commitment to accelerate innovation in new ways of delivering care.
The PPRS/Medicines Optimisation joint programme is aimed at optimising the benefits of
branded, innovative medicines forboth primary care and specialised medicines. Importantly,
the project is applicable to all medicines, including generics, since the principles of medicines
optimisation apply as much to generic as branded medicines.
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Who should attend?
CCG Accountable Officers, CCG Chairs/Chief Operating Officers, Finance Directors,
Medicines Optimisation leads (CCG), Community Pharmacy Leads, Senior Pharmacists
providers, Medical Directors Trusts, AHSN senior leads, Area Medical Director (NHSE),
Specialised Commissioners (CRG leads, Accountable Commissioners), RIG/Industry
representation (senior personnel), patient liaison groups or local patient representative
organisation, LMC/LPC, LPNs and senior nursing personnel.
The Roadshow objectives:
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Communicate and clarify the national context for the initiative on medicines
optimisation
Communicate the focus on improvement in patient care through optimum use of
medication along with current level of suboptimal use
Communicate and explain priority attached to implementation of PPRS and
implications for local budgets and national expenditure
Communicate and confirm priority attached to implementation of NICE TA
recommendations on medicines
Understand local perspective and initiatives
Establish common agenda on these issues with relevant leaders in the local health
system
Obtain feedback and comment on these issues to be summarised centrally and shared
with all AHSNs for further development of approach
To lead the multidisciplinary approach required for the programme (including pharmacy
workforce utilisation)
To develop a local medicines optimisation action plan
Further details:
Date: 27th May 2015
Venue: International Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4EP
Please register at http://www.events.england.nhs.uk/all/339
We very much look forward to welcoming you to the Roadshow.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Séamus O’Neill
Chief Executive
The Academic Health Science Network
for the North East and North Cumbria
Neil Watson
AHSN Medicines Optimisation Programme Lead
Clinical Director of Pharmacy
and Medicines Management
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS
Foundation Trust
Tel: 0191 208 1240
Direct Dial: +44 (0)191 233 1458
Email: seamus.o’neill@ahsn-nenc.org.uk
Web: www.ahsn-nenc.org.uk
T: @AHSN_NENC
Email: neil.watson@nuth.nhs.uk
Web: www.newcastlepharmacy.nhs.uk