Cystic fibrosis
Our pharmacy service is dedicated to supporting people living with cystic fibrosis (CF) by ensuring they receive the safest and most effective medicines tailored to their individual needs. As CF pharmacists, we play a key role in the multidisciplinary team (MDT), working closely with doctors, nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, and research teams to deliver comprehensive care.
On a daily basis, our responsibilities include carrying out medication histories for patients admitted to the ward, ensuring we have accurate records of all current treatments. This helps prevent medication errors and ensures consistency in care. We also regularly discuss any challenges patients may experience in adhering to their medication routines, providing practical advice and support to overcome these issues.
Ensuring patients have access to their medicines is another critical part of our role. We manage medication supplies both during hospital stays and after discharge, coordinating closely with homecare services [link]. This ensures continuity of care, particularly for specialist CF medications that patients receive conveniently at home. We also liaise with GPs and community pharmacies to ensure seamless medication access for people with CF, supporting continuity of care and preventing any issues with obtaining medicines in the community.
At outpatient clinics, we conduct detailed medication reviews, assessing each patient’s treatment plan to ensure it remains optimal for their current health status and lifestyle. We also actively manage drug interactions, including reviewing over-the-counter medications, to ensure patient safety. These reviews help identify opportunities for improvement, minimise side effects, and enhance the effectiveness of treatments, including the novel CF gene modulators.
Additionally, we collaborate closely with research teams involved in clinical trials and new treatment developments, such as Kaftrio and Alyftrek. Our involvement helps ensure safe and effective integration of new therapies into routine patient care, enabling people with CF to benefit quickly from the latest advancements.
By closely monitoring and adjusting treatments, we help people with CF achieve better health outcomes, improved quality of life, and increased independence in managing their condition.