Evaluation of oral anticoagulant safety indicators

Anticoagulants are life-saving medicines that can prevent strokes for patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation as well as treating patients with venous thromboembolism, but when used incorrectly, they are associated with patient harm. In 2021-22 and 2023-24, two national audits were incentivised in the Pharmacy Quality Scheme to understand the impact community pharmacy teams have on improving anticoagulant safety. Approximately 11,000 community pharmacies audited just under a quarter of a million patients and made almost 150,000 interventions for patients taking oral anticoagulants. The results found community pharmacy teams are well placed in educating and counselling patients on the safe use of anticoagulants and ensuring that all patients are correctly monitored.