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Stakeholder views on pharmacist prescribing in addiction services in NHS Lanarkshire

NHS Lanarkshire has been at the forefront in using non-medical prescribers since its inception in 2004. NHS Lanarkshire offers several non-medical prescribers clinics and plans to employ a full-time pharmacist within the redesigned “Community Prescribing Service”. The use of pharmacist prescribers is an integral part of addiction services in NHS Lanarkshire’s adoption of the Scottish Government’s policy, and offers an alternative way for patients to complete their journey to recovery. Although embracing the concept of non-medical and pharmacist prescribers, there has, to date, been no analysis of the efficacy or acceptability of this amongst the stakeholders and service users, this article sets out to establish the initial stages of this and form the basis of further research. We show that pharmacist prescribers are now seen as an integral part of NHS Lanarkshire’s addiction services. Not only is this seen as effective, it is also the preferred option for many service users, encouraging them to maintain their journey along the path to recovery. The pharmacists themselves see their value to the service and the patients. Although the medical prescribers have more reservations, none are to be convinced about the benefits to patients.