Medicines play an important role in helping people stay well, manage long-term conditions and treat illness. As treatments become more complex and many people take several medicines, it is increasingly important that medicines are used safely and effectively.
Across Essex, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians work in GP practices, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), community pharmacies, hospitals and community services. Their clinical expertise helps people get the best outcomes from their medicines while improving safety and reducing the risk of harm.
The NHS Essex Pharmacy and Medicines Commissioning Team provides strategic leadership for medicines use across the county. We work with healthcare partners across the system to support safe prescribing, reduce variation and ensure people receive medicines that are clinically appropriate, effective and offer good value for the NHS.
Our role
The Pharmacy and Medicines Commissioning Team provides strategic leadership for how medicines are used across Essex.
We work closely with general practice, PCNs, hospitals, community pharmacies, community services and social care to ensure medicines are:
- safe to use
- clinically effective
- evidence-based
- good value for NHS resources
- used consistently across the health system
This work helps ensure people receive the right medicines, at the right time and in the right way.
How we support safe medicines use
- Setting standards for medicines use. We support GP practices, PCNs, community pharmacies and hospital services to follow safe and consistent prescribing standards across Essex.
- Supporting people to use medicines well. We help ensure people understand their medicines and feel confident managing them. We also encourage patients to be involved in decisions about their treatment.
- Improving medicines safety. We work with clinicians to reduce harm from unnecessary or high-risk medicines and support safer prescribing across the system.
- Using data to improve care. We use NHS prescribing data and outcomes information to guide decisions, reduce variation and support equitable access to medicines.
Reducing medicines waste
We promote safe, evidence-based prescribing to reduce unnecessary medicines use and minimise waste across the NHS.
Pharmacy services available in the community
Community pharmacies provide quick and convenient access to NHS advice and treatment across Essex. Many services are available without an appointment.
Community pharmacy teams can offer:
- advice on how to take your medicines safely
- support with managing long-term conditions
- blood pressure checks and monitoring
- NHS Pharmacy First consultations for minor illnesses
- urgent supply of medicines in certain circumstances
- safe disposal of unused or expired medicines
- the New Medicine Service (NMS)
- the Discharge Medicines Service
- the NHS Pharmacy Contraception Service
Community pharmacies are one of the most accessible parts of the NHS, providing expert advice and support close to home.
How you can get the most from your medicines
You can help make sure your medicines work safely and effectively by:
- asking questions if you are unsure what a medicine is for
- telling your GP or pharmacist if you are experiencing side effects
- letting your healthcare team know if you stop taking a medicine
- keeping an up-to-date list of your medicines and bringing it to appointments
- returning unused or expired medicines to your local community pharmacy
If you need help understanding your medicines, speak to your GP, practice-based pharmacist or community pharmacist.
More information and support
For national guidance on medicines safety and how to use medicines safely, visit:
If you would like to provide feedback about your experience with medicines or pharmacy services, please contact your GP practice or your local Healthwatch.