Ashtons launches stock medication service

Ashtons Hospital Pharmacy Services has announced the launch of a new service to provide stock medication specifically for hospices.

The service has been developed in response to a growing gap in the market as a result of the introduction of recent legislation which requires all suppliers of medication stock to have a Wholesaler Dealer’s Licence (WDL) from the MHRA.

This means that community and hospital pharmacies must obtain the WDL if they supply stock medication to other providers, other than dispensing prescriptions. In addition, in order to supply stock of controlled drugs, a special Home Office licence is required.

As a result, many NHS trusts which have traditionally supplied hospices no longer have the appropriate license.

In addition, the Carter Report recommended that NHS trusts divest from the physical management of medicines and focus on clinical input, prompting many to review their role in drug supply.

The service builds on Ashtons’ 25 years of specialist pharmacy service expertise which is primarily concerned with helping patients receive safe and effective treatment.

It also supports healthcare staff at all levels, in the delivery of treatment, and in helping them ensure they meet regulatory requirements.

Ashtons can either partner with a hospice’s existing provider if they do not have the appropriate license, or provide a full medicines management service, ensuring quality and reliability of supply of medicines, improved cost control and, above all, improved patient safety. Key features of the service include:

• Systems and procedures designed to support compliance
• Reliable stocks and timely deliveries
• Reduced waste and therefore, reduced costs
• Medication audit trail
• Order management and assistance with storing medicines
• Assistance with recording medicines management
• No need for a stock technician

Commenting on the launch of the service, Laurence Sprey, managing director, said: “We recognise that many hospices are having to review the way they manage stock medicines, particularly as a result of licensing changes.

“We are applying our unique experience of providing pharmacy services to many of the UK’s largest hospital groups, to help hospices manage their stock medicines more effectively.

“Hospices should view these structural changes as an opportunity to revaluate their pharmacy services to ensure they have a long-term, reliable supply and that they are minimising waste and inefficiency.”

Ashtons already works with a number of hospices, including Martlet’s Hospice in Hove, and St Raphael’s in Surrey.