Prescribing and medicines optimisation

About the group

The prescribing and medicines optimisation group serves as a dedicated community of interest for healthcare professionals. Optimising prescribing habits and managing medications effectively are critical components of delivering high-quality, safe, and effective patient care.

This group brings together colleagues from across general practice to:

• Provide a forum for prescribers interested in therapeutics enabling a two-way discussion.
• Promote safe, effective, value-based therapeutics.
• Help to address overprescribing in line with recommendations in the National Overprescribing review.
• Build confidence in clinicians who wish to de-prescribe.
• Have a positive impact on the environment by promoting sustainable medicine choices and supporting the NHS in reaching its carbon net zero targets.
• Provide therapeutic news: myth busting, raising concerns, and updates on new guidance.
• Work alongside the RCGP to respond to prescribing related consultations. Use prescribing data and measures to identify topic areas for further activity.
• Influence the national agenda regarding prescribing/medicines optimisation in primary care.

Current activity

We aim to work with the RCGP to prioritise and optimise medication prescribing for urgent therapeutic needs. This will help raise awareness and provide better support for GPs in addressing important therapeutic issues.

We will also strive to improve mechanisms for highlighting key prescribing and medicines optimisation issues to RCGP members.

RCGP representation

Representing the community of interest group are the RCGP, NHS England, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, and the patients and patient groups.

Group members

The following GPs will manage the COI group:

• Professor Tony Avery - lead
• Dr Tessa Lewis - co-lead
• Dr Lawrence Brad
• Dr Deborah Gompertz
• Dr Andrew Douglass

Contact us

If you would like more information in joining the prescribing and medicines optimisation special interest group, please contact advocates@rcgp.org.uk and you will be put in touch with the relevant person.

The prescribing group is also active on the RCGP members' forum, where you can discuss topics directly with other RCGP members.