All Wales Medicines Strategy Group PAPIG Meeting June

Following the success of their meeting earlier this year in March, The All-Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) are hosting another free to attend, virtual Patient and Public Interest Group (PAPIG) meeting in June.

The Patient and Public Interest Group (PAPIG) was set up in 2013 with the aim of involving patients, carers and patient organisations in the work of AWMSG.

The All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG) would like to hear from patients as part of the medicines appraisal process and to hear patients views on medicines optimisation resources.

Presentations at the meeting include:

• Are my prescriptions getting longer? The length of repeat prescriptions and how they can be matched to your needs
• Improving public messaging about antimicrobial resistance
• The values and behaviours of AWTTC

Presentation 1 Overview

The first presentation will be given by Dr Matt Barnard and his colleagues working at the ICF Centre for Behaviour Change.

The Welsh Government has commissioned ICF to undertake research to understand behaviours associated with extending periods of treatment (also known as extending prescribing intervals, or 56-day prescribing).

The Welsh Government has introduced policies to provide prescriptions for lengths that are appropriate to patients’ needs. For many patients, this could extend the length of time covered by repeat prescriptions.

This initiative aims to improve convenience for patients, reduce unnecessary visits to the pharmacy and help to make the healthcare system more efficient.

In their session, Matt and colleagues will explain what these changes involve, why they are being introduced and how they may affect you as a patient.

Most importantly, they would like to hear your views — whether you see potential benefits, have any concerns or wish to suggest ways we can better support patients during this transition.

Your feedback is invaluable for helping to ensure these changes can best meet the needs of patients with repeat prescriptions. If you would like to share additional thoughts or experiences of extending prescription lengths, the ICF team would be pleased to arrange a brief interview with one of their research team members.

To express your interest to take part in a short interview, please contact rhydian.rolantcleaver@icf.com.

Your insights will play an important role in shaping this policy change and ensuring benefits for patients.

Presentation 2 Overview

The second presentation will be given by colleagues from Public Health Wales.

They would like your views on their messaging about the challenge of antimicrobial resistance and how we all have a part to play in tackling this issue. They would also like to ask you for ideas for improvement, and whether different kinds of digital activity/styles of content would help with messaging and what channels could be used.

We will share their current public information with you before the meeting so you can give your feedback.

How to register for the event

If you would like to attend the upcoming PAPIG meeting, please contact awttc@wales.nhs.uk or visit this link to register online.

You can find out more about the work of AWMSG and how patients, carers and patient organisations can get involved on their website at https://awttc.nhs.wales/

It would be wonderful if you are able to attend and have your voice heard!