Contribution of Specialist Mental Health Pharmacists

Specialist pharmacy services in mental health exist to ensure the best use of psychotropic medicines throughout the population served. Pharmacists are supported in their work by pharmacy technicians (NVQ Level3) and ispensing assistants (NVQ Level 2).

Pharmacists are the experts in medicines. They can assist service users with respect to choice of medicines. Pharmacists assimilate and apply knowledge regarding efficacy and safety of medication for individuals. They provide an independent review of prescribing and administration. This is achieved by their ability to influence clinical decisions by applying their knowledge of the evidence base.

Pharmacists use their knowledge to minimise risk of harm with medicines. There are approximately 2300 pharmacy degree places available per year. These are oversubscribed annually. Approximately 1600 pharmacists qualify each year and about 500 pharmacists are engaged in mental health activity.