Principle 2: Evidence-based choice of medicines

Medicines should be chosen using best evidence, for example by following NICE guidance and local formularies. This includes choosing an appropriate formulation of medicine and also appropriate timings for doses. To achieve this principle there must be a clear indication for each medicine. For people with a learning disability you should check that psychotropic medicines have an indication and a review date. Remember that evidence for the use of psychotropic medicines to control behaviour that challenges is often weak and of poor quality.

Principle 3: Ensure medicines use is as safe as possible

If the person with a learning disability is taking their medicines unsupervised, think about how you can make this as safe as possible for them. To achieve this you will need to ensure that the person is supported by reasonable adjustments that are appropriate to them as an individual. You will need to think about how things will work when the person leaves the pharmacy and how they and their carers will get on at home, including the communication between different carers and support workers.

A medication administration record (MAR) chart can ensure there is a clear record of what medicines have been taken and when to avoid duplicating doses.

Principle 4: Make medicines optimisation part of routine practice

You may see people with a learning disability more frequently than any other health professionals so ask them how they are getting on with their medicines and if they have any questions or concerns. Regularly engaging people who have a learning disability in discussions about their medicines will allow you to reinforce and help the person remember key messages. To ensure medicines optimisation continues to be a part of routine practice, think about maintaining and developing your knowledge and skills, as well as those of the rest of your pharmacy team.