A service evaluation and stakeholder perspectives of the 'Pharmacy Support and Development' Service across a GP Federation...The Royal Pharmaceutical Society Annual Conference, November 10, 2023, London, United Kingdom.

The article focuses on evaluating community pharmacists' roles and confidence in supporting asthma patients through various services, including the New Medicines Service, influenza vaccination, the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPCS), and inhaler technique checks. Pharmacists rated the New Medicines Service as the most helpful, with most referrals to general practitioners (GPs) related to overuse of salbutamol and side effects from Clenil®. Metered dose inhalers were the most dispensed devices, while dry powder inhalers posed more challenges for patients. Although pharmacists generally felt well-trained and confident, younger pharmacists were less consistent in checking inhaler technique and more likely to refer patients to GPs. The study suggests enhancing technique checks, conducting asthma reviews in pharmacies, and providing additional support for newly qualified pharmacists to improve patient care.