Community pharmacists could help a million people in the UK a year to better manage pain through an enhanced MUR service, researchers have said. 

Pharmacists could also identify at least 50,000 cases of neuropathic pain a year and another 10,000 cases of serious illnesses involving pain, such as angina, if the service was rolled out nationally, a study by the University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy and the University of Nottingham argued.

The study, released yesterday (April 16), assessed the impact of 176 enhanced pain MURs delivered at 10 north London pharmacies over six weeks in November and December 2012.

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	The £12,000 pilot, funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer, involved pharmacists targeting patients using both prescribed and purchased pain-relief medicines. They asked patients about the duration, nature and extent of pain, as well as any worries over medication.

Pharmacists were paid £40 for the enhanced MUR in addition to the normal £28 MUR fee. They also identified side effects from NSAID or opioid use in 12 per cent of interventions. One in 10 patients was sent to their GP for enhanced pain relief or a medication change and a further 5 per cent were referred because they were likely to be suffering from undiagnosed neuropathic or mixed pain.

The researchers, led by professor of pharmaceuticals and public health at UCL School of Pharmacy David Taylor, noted that patients agreed the MURs were valuable and reported feeling better able to deal with their pain afterwards. Patients said pharmacists were "more accessible" than the local GP practice and had more time to talk about their problems.

The study argued that pharmacists were a cost-effective way of managing pain and improving quality of life. However, pharmacists involved in the pilot suggested that the increase in workload would require two additional pharmacists per pharmacy. The authors suggested remuneration schemes for providing pain services and Professor Taylor said that initiatives to improve primary care should remain important, despite the overarching focus on NHS reorganisation.

"There is a danger of NHS commissioners and providers alike acting as unaligned businesses concerned with their own contributions and needs, rather than overall performance and value for money," Professor Taylor warned.

For tips on how to deliver a successful MUR on conditions and drugs ranging from ADHD to warfarin, visit C+D's MUR Zone in association with Teva.