Supporting children and young people with asthma – inhaler adherence
This is to notify you of a risk in the accuracy of prescribing information. This has come to light after discrepancies between GP prescribing data and pharmacy dispensing data were raised within the pan London Children & Young People’s Asthma Programme. It is not specific only to children & young people or to asthma.
Whilst work is ongoing by NHS England to align different prescribing systems, at present, additional non-GP prescribing originating from the following sources may not show accurately in the GP Record, Summary Care Record (SCR) or London Care Record
- an urgent treatment centre
- 111 and emergency departments
- outpatient appointment
- discharge
- out of hours or emergency supply from a pharmacy.
- Private (Non NHS) Healthcare Services
This means that your prescribing record may not represent a true picture of the medication that a patient has received. This can present a risk in relation to the accuracy of information about adherence to medication, identification of high-risk patients and for example – give an incorrect picture about dependence on inhalers.
It is expected that digital solutions will be in place in the future however at present, clinicians should take additional precautions when prescribing or undertaking medication reviews and consider the Patient Medication Record (PMR) as well as information directly from the patient and their family in their clinical decision making.
Karen Bonner: Chief Nurse NHSE London
Agatha Nortley- Meshe: Medical Director Primary Care NHSE London
Jon Hayhurst: Chief Pharmacist : NHSE London