Boots UK in association with Macmillan Cancer Support and the NHS has launched a Palliative Care Service in its pharmacies to provide easy access to vital medicines and specialist pharmacist advice and support to patients.
As part of the new service, Boots has created a list of recommended medicines most used by terminally ill patients. It has committed to maintain stock of these medicines, or formulary, at over 2,000 of its pharmacies with an NHS contract.
To further support the launch of the new service, all 4,200 Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists (BMIP) have received additional training on palliative care, including a range of cancer-related advice and side effects of medication.
Marc Donovan, chief pharmacist at Boots said: “Discussing end-of-life care is never easy, but it is very important. At this extremely difficult time for patients and their families and carers, ease of access to medicines and support can make a big difference.
“We hope this new, national service, available at Boots stores across the UK, will provide valuable support to patients who need palliative and end of life care.”
Expressing delight over the launch of new service, Dr Rosie Loftus, chief medical officer at Macmillan, said: Together we are doing whatever it takes to support people during this difficult time.”
New figures from Macmillan showed that almost 23 per cent of people suffering with advanced stage cancer in the UK found it harder to access healthcare in recent months because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It also revealed that 25 per cent of people have been feeling depressed due to the pandemic.
Boots has also introduced an online stock checking tool to ensure better accessibility of medication for terminally ill patients and their carers.
Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre