Blog: Pharmacist-led solutions: a scalable strategy for reducing GP workload

As pressures on general practice continue to mount, PCNs play a critical role in rethinking how care is delivered at scale. Across England, networks are being asked to balance access, clinical quality, and workforce sustainability - all while meeting the demands of the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service.

One of the most effective ways to support these goals is through pharmacist-led services.

Unlocking capacity with clinical pharmacists

Clinical pharmacists are uniquely positioned to alleviate GP workload. Trained in medication management, prescribing, and long-term condition support, they can handle a substantial proportion of work that would otherwise fall to GPs.

 According to NHS England:

• Pharmacists can safely manage up to 30% of GP appointments
• Repeat prescriptions account for up to 50% of all GP consultations
• PCNs using pharmacist-led Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) have seen reduced hospital admissions     and improved patient safety

By fully integrating pharmacists into multidisciplinary teams, PCNs can deliver smarter care models that improve efficiency across practices while enhancing patient experience.

Delivering population health goals

Pharmacists bring clinical and strategic value. Beyond handling medication reviews and repeat prescriptions, they can support:

• Long-term condition clinics (e.g., asthma, hypertension, diabetes)
• Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) for at-risk populations
• Medicines reconciliation post-discharge
• Cost-saving audits and prescribing optimisation
• Improved funding performance through proactive patient targeting

This not only reduces variation in care quality across practices but helps PCNs meet key contractual and population health objectives.

A Workforce Opportunity, Not a Cost

Through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), PCNs can recruit and expand clinical pharmacy teams with little to no impact on practice budgets. Yet in many networks, this resource remains under-utilised or narrowly focused.

When deployed strategically, pharmacists don’t just ‘take tasks off GPs’ – their input into projects and processes can fundamentally reshape how care is delivered. They create space for GPs to focus on complex and urgent cases, reduce burnout, and improve access across the network.

Building resilient, scalable primary care

The future of primary care isn’t about asking GPs to do more, but more so about doing things differently. Pharmacist-led solutions offer a proven, scalable route to creating a more resilient, effective PCN.

By embedding pharmacists across your practices and ensuring they’re empowered to work at the top of their license, you’ll not only reduce GP workload. You will also strengthen your ability to deliver care at scale, meet population health targets, and make the most of your funded workforce.

PCNs were created to transform care. Pharmacists are a key part of that transformation. With the funding in place and the evidence behind them, pharmacist-led solutions are essential to success.

To find out how MMS can support you, get in touch today.