Parkinson’s is the second most common neuroprogressive condition after Alzheimer’s. About 12,400 people in Scotland have Parkinson’s – around one-in-every-375 adults – and the main symptoms are tremor, slowness of movement, and rigidity. Medication routines can be complex, and as Parkinson’s is a progressive condition, these routines need to be reviewed and adjusted to maintain their benefits. Katie Goates, Professional Engagement Programme Manager at Parkinson’s UK, outlines crucial medicine management tips for Parkinson’s, and how you can help.

Parkinson’s UK launched its Get it on Time campaign in 2006 to make sure that everyone with Parkinson’s in a care home or hospital gets their medication on time, every time.

Getting the right medication at the right time and dose can be as crucial for someone with Parkinson’s as insulin is for those with diabetes. But the latest audit from Parkinson’s UK, carried out in 2017, shows that fewer than half of people admitted to hospital always got their Parkinson’s medication on time.

If people don’t receive their medication at the right time and dose, the results can be catastrophic. People may go from being mobile and articulate to being unable to move, speak, or swallow. They may also experience uncontrolled movements and psychotic symptoms.

There are also long-term implications – some people have permanently lost their ability to walk after a hospital stay. For those who do recover, it can take months for them to feel in control of their symptoms again. Whether in the community or in hospital, pharmacists can play a key role in Parkinson’s medication management.

Parkinson’s UK established the UK Parkinson’s Excellence Network in 2015. It brings together health and care professionals to enable them to share best practice. In Scotland, more than 300 health and care professionals are members, and there are three regional groups covering the West, East, and North.

The Excellence Network online learning hub offers free training programmes for professionals to improve the quality of care for people affected by Parkinson’s.

Resources include key information booklets for community and hospital pharmacists.

These can be downloaded or ordered on our website by visiting www.parkinsons.org.uk/professionals/resources.

To support peer learning and networking for pharmacists with an interest in Parkinson’s, the Excellence Network has also launched the Parkinson’s Specialist Pharmacy Network.

This network will hold an initial meeting in October 2019 in Birmingham. Presentations will come from neurology specialist pharmacists, palliative care specialists, and community pharmacists with an interest in Parkinson’s. To find out more and express interest in this first meeting, visit the Parkinson’s Specialist Pharmacy Network page on the Parkinson’s UK website – www.parkinsons.org.uk/professionals/parkinsons-disease-specialist-pharmacy-network –  or email excellence@parkinsons.org.uk.

Tips for Everyday Practice

There are a number of things which community pharmacists can do to help your patients take control of their Parkinson’s.

These tips come from Parkinson’s UK’s key information for community pharmacists.

Support Maintenance of Prescribed Medication

Routines

• Ensure there is no delay in dispensing the range of prescribed Parkinson’s medications and that you are aware of how and where to get them quickly

• Prescribed medication is dispensed in

containers that the person can open.

Parkinson’s can affect fine finger dexterity

• Branded preparations are issued where prescribed and are not substituted with generic versions unless absolutely necessary. Where substitution does occur, explain to the patient and carer why a different preparation has been dispensed to help reduce any anxiety or confusion

Help People to Understand their Medication Routines, What Medication they are

Taking, and Possible Side-Effects

• Perform a Medicines Use Review with your Parkinson’s patients or an equivalent service (where applicable and appropriate)

Think Through the Mechanisms of Action When a Person with Parkinson’s is Prescribed, or is Considering Purchasing, a New Over-the-Counter Medicine

• Any drug that blocks dopamine receptors could make the symptoms of Parkinson’s worse or even mimic Parkinson’s symptoms without the condition being present

Help Care Home Staff to Give Medication on Time

• Print out timings on the pharmacy label, adding them to any blister packs issued and printing out timings on the medication

administration record

• Make sure that the care home staff and domiciliary staff you work with understand the importance of keeping to the prescribed medication routine

Support People with Hospital Admissions

• Make sure your patients have an up-to-date list of their medication on them at all times with clear information about the preparation, dosage, and timing

• Provide information to support people with Parkinson’s to administer their medication themselves in hospital if they are able to

• Review medication of a person with

Parkinson’s in your community after they are discharged as their needs may have changed

Support from Parkinson’s UK

Speak to the Parkinson’s UK helpline (0800 800 0303) if you have any queries about Parkinson’s medications. The helpline is staffed by trained Parkinson’s nurses who can provide medication advice. The opening times are Monday-to-Friday: 9am-to-7pm, and

Saturday: 10am-to-2pm (closed Sundays / bank holidays). Alternatively, you can email hello@parkinsons.org.uk.

Community-based Parkinson’s UK local advisers can offer one-to-one information and emotional support to people with Parkinson’s, their families, and carers. Our network of more than 40 local groups in Scotland enables people with Parkinson’s and their carers to meet others and get involved in activities.

Find out More About Parkinson’s –Education and Training

Parkinson’s UK not only provides information and support to people affected by Parkinson’s, we also provide specific support to

professionals.

You can view and order our full range of professional resources at www.parkinsons.org.uk/professionals.

About Parkinson’s UK

Parkinson’s UK is the UK’s leading charity supporting those with the condition. Its mission is to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s through cutting-edge research, information, support, and campaigning.

About Parkinson’s UK Scotland

Parkinson’s UK Scotland’s staff team is largely home-based in communities across the country. Find out more about Parkinson’s UK Scotland, and read our 2019 report ‘People.    Parkinson’s. Scotland’ online.

Visit www.parkinsons.org.uk/scotland, or email scotland@parkinsons.org.uk.