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The first Advanced service within the NHS community pharmacy contract is the Medicines Use Review (MUR) and Prescription Intervention Service.
The service consists of accredited pharmacists undertaking structured concordance centred reviews with patients on multiple medicines, particularly those receiving medicines for long term conditions. The MUR process attempts to establish a picture of the patient's use of their medicines - both prescribed and non-prescribed. The review will help patients understand their therapy and it will identify any problems they are experiencing along with possible solutions. A report of the review will be provided to the patient and to their GP.
In order to address local priorities, PCTs may recommend that MURs are targeted at certain patient groups.
Service Specification
The nationally agreed service specification contains essential information for any pharmacist who will be providing MURs. Click on the link below to download a copy.
Service Specification (PDF format)
Since the service specification was published there have been a number of changes made to the way MURs should be conducted. These changes are detailed in the Secretary of State Directions (see below).
Secretary of State Directions
Click on the link below to view the Secretary of State Directions, which provide the regulatory framework for the service.
The Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2005 (PDF Format)
The above Directions have been amended by the following Directions
The Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) Amendment Directions 2005 (PDF Format)
The National Health Service (Miscellaneous Amendments Relating to Prescribing, Pharmaceutical Services and Local Pharmaceutical Services etc.) (England) Directions 2006 (PDF Format)
The Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) Amendment Directions 2006 (PDF Format)
The Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) (Amendment) Directions 2007 (PDF Format)
PSNC has prepared a consolidation document, based on the 2005 Directions, and incorporating all the subsequent changes (up to and including the December 2007 amendment). This is provided as an aid, and has no legislative authority. In all cases, the only documents that have legal force, are the above Directions.
Consolidation of the Pharmaceutical Services (Advanced and Enhanced Services) (England) Directions 2005 (PDF Format)
MUR Quick Links
MUR Form
Pharmacies providing the MUR service must use the official form recognised by the Secretary of State for Health.
The original version 1 MUR form was superseded by the new version 2 form in December 2007. Arrangements were also made for a transitional period during which the original form could continue to be used. In England the transitional period ends on 30 September 2008 and after that date, the original version 1 form will no longer be valid. In Wales the transitional period ends on the 3 September 2008.
We recommend that pharmacy contractors should check now that they have the new style forms and dispose of any of the old style forms.
Click here for more information on the MUR form.
Pharmacist Accreditation
Pharmacists must successfully undertake a competency assessment to gain accreditation before providing MURs.
Click here for more information on how pharmacists get accreditated for providing MURs.
Annual regulatory standards checklist and declaration
PSNC has developed a voluntary checklist to prompt pharmacy contractors to check on an annual basis, that all the regulatory requirements of the MUR service have been met.
The form is intended to be completed shortly after the end of a financial year. It should be retained in the pharmacy, and may be referred to during a PCT monitoring visit, or could be sent to the PCT as part of locally agreed voluntary arrangements.
The checklist is published in the PSNC Contract Workbook or alternatively a copy can be downloaded here.
MUR FAQs
This page provides answers to a lot of frequently asked questions, click here to access the Frequently Asked Questions.
MUR resources
Click on the link below to access a range of resources to help pharmacists provide the MUR service.
MUR resources
“Get a Free Medicines Check from your Local Pharmacist” Campaign
The PSNC, 'Get a Free Medicines Check from your Local Pharmacist' Campaign involving contractors and LPCs to promote the availability of Medicines Use Reviews, features the benefits of the MUR service and encourages qualifying patients to ask about the service in their pharmacy.
The material provides an advertisement for LPCs to place in local newspapers and for contractors to use as an in-store poster. LPCs have also been provided with a pack giving advice and a draft press release to use locally to raise the profile of MURs as part of the advertisement and poster campaign. The template can be download from the publications database.
LPCs have been briefed on the campaign and contractors can obtain more information on local MUR promotion from LPCs.
DOWNLOADS: Some documents are available in PDF format, you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or later for viewing which can be downloaded from the Adobe Website
DOWNLOADS: Some documents are available in ‘Microsoft Word’ format. If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can read these forms by downloading the free 'Word Viewer'. This program can be downloaded at the Microsoft website