The Evolving Role of Pharmacists in Primary Care Networks (PCNs)

Over the past decade, pharmacists in the UK have taken on increasingly central roles in patient care. With the introduction of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in 2019, this shift has accelerated, creating new opportunities for pharmacists to work at the heart of community-based healthcare.

PCNs—groups of GP practices working together alongside other providers—aim to deliver more coordinated, proactive, and personalised care for local populations. Pharmacists are integral to this model, helping to bridge the gap between medicines expertise and frontline clinical care.

Why Pharmacists in PCNs?

Pharmacists bring a unique skill set that complements GPs and other healthcare professionals. As medicines experts, they are well-placed to improve patient safety, reduce workload pressures on doctors, and optimise long-term condition management. With growing demand in primary care, their contribution is both practical and strategic.

Key Roles of Pharmacists in PCNs

1. Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs)

Pharmacists in PCNs conduct detailed medication reviews, especially for patients:

• Living with long-term conditions.

• Taking multiple medicines (polypharmacy).

• At risk of medicines-related harm.

These reviews go beyond checking prescriptions—they involve discussing lifestyle factors, side effects, and adherence, leading to safer and more effective use of medicines.

2. Long-Term Condition Management

PCN pharmacists increasingly manage patients with conditions like asthma, COPD, hypertension, and diabetes. In some cases, with prescribing qualifications, they:

• Adjust treatment plans.

• Initiate or deprescribe medicines.

• Provide education and support for self-management.

This improves continuity of care and reduces pressure on GPs.

3. Improving Medicines Optimisation

Pharmacists support PCNs by:

• Ensuring prescribing aligns with local and national guidelines.

• Promoting cost-effective use of medicines.

• Leading initiatives such as antimicrobial stewardship to combat resistance.

This role ensures that resources are used wisely while maintaining patient safety.

4. Supporting Care Homes

Many PCNs assign pharmacists to work with care homes, where residents often have complex medication regimens. Responsibilities include:

• Carrying out regular medicines reviews.

• Reducing unnecessary prescribing.

• Supporting staff with training and medicines administration.

This improves quality of life for residents and minimises avoidable hospital admissions.

5. Public Health and Preventive Care

Pharmacists are also stepping into wider health promotion roles within PCNs, for example:

• Delivering vaccination programmes.

• Offering smoking cessation and weight management support.

• Advising on safe use of over-the-counter medicines.

This extends the reach of primary care into prevention, not just treatment.

6. Education and Collaboration

Pharmacists in PCNs act as a resource for colleagues by:

• Providing advice to GPs and nurses on complex medicines.

• Training other staff on safe prescribing.

• Supporting integration between hospitals, community pharmacies, and GP practices.

This collaborative role strengthens the entire care pathway.

The Impact on Patients and Primary Care

The inclusion of pharmacists in PCNs is transforming primary care delivery:

• Patients benefit from safer prescribing, better support with long-term conditions, and more time for conversations about their health.

• GPs and practices experience reduced workload, enabling them to focus on complex cases.

• The NHS gains a more sustainable, efficient model of care.

Future Directions

The role of pharmacists in PCNs is still evolving. Key trends include:

• More prescribing pharmacists → expanding direct patient care.

• Integration with digital tools → using electronic records and AI to support medicines optimisation.

• Broader clinical leadership roles → pharmacists leading quality improvement and population health projects.

As PCNs mature, pharmacists will continue to shape the future of primary care, becoming indispensable members of multidisciplinary teams.

Pharmacists in PCNs are no longer confined to supporting roles—they are central to delivering proactive, patient-centred healthcare. By combining clinical expertise with a focus on medicines optimisation and long-term condition management, they help ensure the NHS can meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

The pharmacist’s role in PCNs is not just evolving—it’s redefining what primary care looks like.