How Smarter Pharmacy Services Can Boost Health & Cut Costs
Expanding pharmacy services has the potential to significantly improve health outcomes, reduce hospital admissions, and save billions in healthcare costs. A study from England highlights how initiatives like the discharge medicines service and new medicine service (NMS) can enhance patient care, free up hospital resources, and improve quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). For Malta, where preventive care and holistic health are key priorities, integrating enhanced pharmacy services with its Mediterranean diet and wellness initiatives could create a powerful synergy. Community pharmacies, by offering medication reviews and personalized health advice, could complement Malta’s emphasis on healthy living while alleviating strain on healthcare systems. This dual approach of expert pharmaceutical care and nutrient-rich diets could support longer, healthier lives for Malta’s population, making it a win-win for both patients and the healthcare system.
How Expanding Pharmacy Services Can Promote Healthier Lives and Reduce Healthcare Costs
In Malta, where the Mediterranean diet and a vibrant culinary scene are celebrated, the connection between food, health, and longevity is well understood. But beyond what’s on our plates, access to effective healthcare services, such as community pharmacies, also plays a crucial role in fostering physical and mental well-being. Recent research from England suggests that expanding pharmacy services could transform healthcare systems, improve patient outcomes, and even save billions in costs.
A study conducted by the York Health Economics Consortium at the University of York highlights the untapped potential of community pharmacies in improving health outcomes. The findings, commissioned by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), suggest that if community pharmacists were more widely enabled to review medications, up to 70,000 hospital admissions could be avoided each year. In a country like Malta, where hospital resources are often stretched, this insight could inspire valuable adaptations.
The Role of Pharmacy in Preventing Hospital Admissions
The research focuses on the discharge medicines service, which supports patients prescribed new medications after being discharged from hospital. If every region in England implemented this service as effectively as the highest-performing area, the NHS could save an estimated £26.3 million annually. This would also free up 963,216 hospital bed days, allowing hospitals to focus on more critical cases.
The discharge medicines service not only reduces hospital stays but also enhances quality-adjusted life years (QALYs)—a measure of health outcomes that equates to one year of life in perfect health. Expanding this service could add 12,494 QALYs, valued at £250 million. For Malta, where the focus is increasingly on preventive care and healthy living, such a service could complement existing initiatives promoting wellness through nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness.
Medicines and the Mediterranean Diet: A Holistic View
Malta’s culinary traditions, rooted in the Mediterranean diet, are often lauded for their role in reducing chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes. However, even with the healthiest diet, many patients with long-term conditions require medications to manage their health. The study highlights the value of the new medicine service (NMS), which helps patients with chronic conditions adjust to new prescriptions. Currently saving the NHS £661 million annually, the NMS could yield an additional £66.1 million in savings if expanded by just 10%.
This approach aligns perfectly with Malta’s emphasis on holistic health. By integrating better medication management with dietary education—such as how certain foods interact with medications—community pharmacies in Malta could encourage healthier lifestyles while reducing strain on healthcare services.
A “Reset” for Medicines and Longevity
Henry Gregg, CEO of the NPA, describes the findings as a call for a “medicines reset.” He stresses that pharmacy services not only reduce pain and hospital stays but also improve overall physical and mental well-being. For Malta’s aging population, this could translate to a longer, more vibrant life. Imagine pairing expert pharmaceutical care with the island’s fresh, nutrient-rich foods—this dual approach could be a game changer for longevity.
The study also explored new interventions, such as prescribing reviews for patients taking multiple medications. This service alone could save nearly £620 million in England. Additionally, improving access to personalized asthma action plans through pharmacies could save £71.6 million. In Malta, where respiratory issues can be exacerbated by humidity and environmental factors, such initiatives would undoubtedly benefit the population.
Community Pharmacies: A Cornerstone for Public Health
Community pharmacists are increasingly seen as accessible healthcare professionals who can bridge the gap between patients and medical care. By providing advice on medication use and preventive health measures, they are uniquely positioned to complement Malta’s health-forward culture. For example, a community pharmacist could advise a patient on how to manage high cholesterol through a combination of prescribed statins and a diet rich in olive oil, fish, and whole grains—staples of Maltese cuisine.
The Department of Health and Social Care in England has acknowledged the value of pharmacies in shifting care from hospitals to the community. By investing in pharmacy services, they hope to improve patient outcomes while reducing overall healthcare costs. Malta could take inspiration from this approach, especially as its healthcare system looks to innovate and adapt in the wake of global challenges.
A Win-Win for Patients and the Healthcare System
The potential benefits of expanding pharmacy services are clear: better health outcomes, reduced hospital admissions, and significant cost savings. In Malta, where food and health are deeply intertwined, leveraging community pharmacies to complement the island’s commitment to well-being could create a win-win scenario. Patients would enjoy longer, healthier lives, the healthcare system would operate more efficiently, and the public purse would benefit from substantial returns on investment.
As Malta continues to promote a healthy lifestyle through its food culture and healthcare initiatives, the integration of expanded pharmacy services could be the next step in ensuring a healthier, more resilient population. After all, health is not just about what we eat—it’s about how we care for our bodies and minds in every aspect of life.