The NHG Group Pharmacy Council (GPC) held its inaugural strategic meeting on A NEW GROUP PHARMACY COUNCIL FORMED
In November 2021, NHG inaugurated a Group Pharmacy Council (GPC) that brings together the pharmacy fraternity in NHG with a collective vision to advance the pharmacy practice, deliver better care, experience, and value — beyond medication use — for our patients and the population we serve. GPC is represented by pharmacy leaders from across NHG Institutions, and guided by the NHG Clinical Board. The four primary drivers for GPC’s strategic direction and shared vision are:
- Providing accessible, seamless, and personalised pharmaceutical care for the population
- Reducing drug-related problems and healthcare utilisation through medication management
- Developing preventive health strategies to promote wellness and reduce complications
- Creating joy in work by enabling pharmacy staff to practise at the top of their licence or capability
Population-Based Approach To Medication Management (PopMed).
POPULATION-BASED APPROACH TO MEDICATION MANAGEMENT (POPMED)
In August 2019, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and National Healthcare Group Polyclinics (NHGP) started Project PopMed in Toa Payoh Polyclinic to address medication-related problems, and improve health literacy and communication with patients across different care settings. Under this collaboration, pharmacists conduct medication reviews for their patients at planned intervals, address patients’ medication-related challenges, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide a holistic, person-centred care experience. Preliminary results showed that Project PopMed has helped to reduce healthcare costs by S$2,968 per patient per annum and resolved medication-related problems by 84 per cent. In addition, medication adherence and beliefs on medication measures showed improved or sustained scores in 90 per cent and 86 per cent of patients, respectively. Based on these promising results, there are plans to implement Project PopMed in more NHG Institutions.
MEDICATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT CLINIC
The Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Clinic supports the core teamlet model of care in NHGP with a holistic review approach to address the increasingly complex and overlapping issues of primary care patients. Clinical pharmacists proactively review, identify, and resolve patients’ pressing medication-related needs. Clinical pharmacists also address medication-related issues such as non-adherence, adverse drug reactions, and drug use without indication, especially in elderly patients taking multiple medications or have conditions which present more risks. Complex medication regimens are then simplified for patients by recommending changes or removing medication, as appropriate. Providing patients with a simpler medication regimen helps them to adhere to their medication, reduces potential side effects, and improves well-being.
SUSTAINED DEMAND FOR MEDICATION DELIVERY
Since January 2022, patients at NHGP have been able to use the Self-Payment kiosks to activate home delivery of their prescription medications instead of waiting to collect them from the pharmacy at the polyclinic. The initiative was jointly implemented by NHGP and NHGPh across all polyclinics after a successful pilot at Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic in early 2021. From January to March 2022, an average of 18 per cent of medication deliveries were activated via the Self-Payment kiosk by patients who opted for next-day delivery.