Integrating pharmacists into general practice could help relieve doctors’ workloads, improve prescribing safety and aid medicines optimisation, a study at the University of Sunderland has revealed.

The research, funded by Pharmacy Research (PRUK), explored the attitudes and perceptions of GPs to pharmacist-led care in general practice, identifying potential barriers and the channels to integrating pharmacists in the service. Pharmacist independent prescribers in particular were perceived to have a wider scope of practice and a greater impact on workload pressures.