Elderly and sick not offered pill boxes by Boots as pharmacists say they increase 'risk of a dispensing error'

High street pharmacy Boots has told elderly and sick people they can no longer expect to get pill organisers, and many pharmacists back the move arguing the boxes increase the "risk of a dispensing error".

Pharmacists put tablets into weekly pill organisers which can help elderly and sick people with multiple medications to take their correct dose of medicine at the right time.

Referred by pharmacists as multi-compartment compliance aids (MCCAs), they are usually sent to people’s addresses but Boots has opted to offer other options to patients, in line with Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) guidance.

A Boots spokesperson said: "The latest Royal Pharmaceutical Society guidance indicates that the use of multi-compartment compliance aids is not always the most appropriate option for patients that need support to take their medicines at the right dose and time.

"Pharmacists are speaking with patients who we provide with MCCAs to discuss whether it is the right way to support them, depending on their individual circumstances and clinical needs.

"Alternative support might include large-print labels and a medicines reminder chart. In many cases, MCCAs will remain the most appropriate option for the patient, and we will continue to support them in this way."

Pill boxes ‘should not be there to assist paid carers’

The RPS has said that there are disadvantages as well as benefits to using MCCAs.

The RPS stated: "A multi-compartment compliance aid is one tool amongst many to help with medicines use but other interventions also exist, which as part of a person-centred and quality approach, must also be considered."

Pharmacist Paul Gimson, a fellow at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, (@pgimmo) on Twitter said: “Blister Packs’ are almost never the answer - they’re a symptom of a broken medicines supply/administration chain.

“The extra step increases risk of a dispensing error and not all are safe to go in. And - we’ve been having this discussion for 20+ years.”

Thorrun Govind, Chair of the RPS English Pharmacy Board, also posted on Twitter: “Far too often pharmacists are being forced to provide blister packs due to to underfunding elsewhere.

“They are not always in the best interests of patients. They should not be there to assist paid carers.”

Geriatrician: ‘Deeply short-sighted’

Many people, including those with dementia, rely on pill boxes to help stay on track when it comes to their medicine, as members of the public have pointed out.

Peter Gedge (@pegdeg) said “Absolutely essential for those whose memory is fading, and for those carers looking after them.

"Thankfully our local village chemist provides this service as part of their excellent standard. If a small single outlet can do it, why not a massive chain?”

Dr Sandy Thomson, a consultant physician and geriatrician at Salford Royal Hospital, on Twitter (@Dr SandyThomson) expressed his disgust at Boots' decision as well as concern for people with conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease.

Dr Sandy Thomson, said: “This is deeply short-sighted.

“It’s penny-pinching and lacks insight or empathy in person-centred care. I wonder whether it raises equality issues too?

"I’m worried for people living with PD who have time-critical meds”.