What is Medicines Optimisation?
Medicines optimisation is key to improving patient safety and outcomes across the NHS. Through the Ashtons Virtual Hub, we support Primary Care Networks (PCNs) with pharmacist-led medicines optimisation. Our service strengthens clinical governance, reduces prescribing risks, and enhances quality of care.
We combine human expertise with digital efficiency. Our team integrates into PCN systems to improve medicines management at scale.
Medicines optimisation is key to improving patient safety and outcomes across the NHS. Through the Ashtons Virtual Hub, we support Primary Care Networks (PCNs) with pharmacist-led medicines optimisation. Our service strengthens clinical governance, reduces prescribing risks, and enhances quality of care.
We combine human expertise with digital efficiency. Our team integrates into PCN systems to improve medicines management at scale.
Why Medicines Optimisation Matters
With up to half of all medicines not taken as intended, the need for robust optimisation has never been greater. Effective medicines management reduces harm, minimises waste, and ensures every prescription delivers the intended clinical benefit.
At a system level, it supports:
➜ Safer, evidence-based prescribing
➜ Improved adherence and therapeutic outcomes
➜ Reduced medication errors and adverse events
➜ Greater alignment with NICE and NHS Long Term Plan priorities
By embedding pharmacist expertise directly into PCN workflows, we help practices move from reactive review to proactive optimisation, improving both safety and sustainability.
How the Virtual Hub Delivers Medicines Optimisation
The Ashtons Virtual Hub connects PCNs to a dedicated team of clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who work within existing practice systems, including EMIS and SystmOne.
Our team provides:
➜ Structured medication reviews (SMRs)
➜ High-risk drug monitoring
➜ Repeat prescription reviews and formulary alignment
➜ Audit and reporting to support QOF and IIF delivery
Each intervention is fully documented and integrated into your local systems, ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
The Ashtons Virtual Hub connects PCNs to a dedicated team of clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who work within existing practice systems, including EMIS and SystmOne.
Our team provides:
➜ Structured medication reviews (SMRs)
➜ High-risk drug monitoring
➜ Repeat prescription reviews and formulary alignment
➜ Audit and reporting to support QOF and IIF delivery
Each intervention is fully documented and integrated into your local systems, ensuring transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes.
How Medicines Optimisation Supports Primary Care
Benefits for Primary Care Networks
Our service helps PCNs:
➜ Reduce GP workload through delegated reviews
➜ Improve patient outcomes and safety
➜ Enhance QOF and IIF performance
➜ Streamline repeat prescribing and formulary compliance
➜ Deliver measurable savings and efficiency gains
Through regular reporting and shared dashboards, PCNs gain a clear view of prescribing trends, progress against targets, and opportunities for further improvement.
Our service helps PCNs:
➜ Reduce GP workload through delegated reviews
➜ Improve patient outcomes and safety
➜ Enhance QOF and IIF performance
➜ Streamline repeat prescribing and formulary compliance
➜ Deliver measurable savings and efficiency gains
Through regular reporting and shared dashboards, PCNs gain a clear view of prescribing trends, progress against targets, and opportunities for further improvement.
Medicines Management is a core element of the Ashtons Virtual Hub, a digital-first service enabling PCNs to access scalable, ARRS-funded pharmacy support. By integrating this with long-term condition management, document processing, and pharmacist-led clinical reviews, the Virtual Hub empowers practices to improve patient care while maintaining workforce efficiency.
Our approach aligns with the NICE NG5 Medicines Optimisation guidance and supports the ambitions of the NHS Long Term Plan.