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Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) e-Learning progamme which provides the knowledge and skills for pharmacists and their teams to support reviews of patients with dementia who have been prescribed antipsychotic medication.

Aimed at pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacy trainees and registered pharmacy technicians this e-learning tool supports the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Dementia Action Alliance and the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement ‘Call to Action’ campaign to reduce inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotics in dementia.

On completion of all aspects of this programme you should:

• be aware of 2 key documents and the Call to Action campaign prompting review of antipsychotic medicines in patients with dementia
• understand why antipsychotic medicines are used in dementia and when it is appropriate to use them
• know the side effects of antipsychotic medicines in patients with dementia, specifically the contents of the MHRA alert, and to understand the licensing restrictions in this group of patients
• understand how pharmacists and the pharmacy team can identify suitable patients for reduction and withdrawal of antipsychotic medication and the tools available to support this
• describe the alternative pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions available and the evidence base for these
• be able to signpost patients, their carers and families to appropriate sources of information and support

The programme takes approximately 2 hours to complete and there are cost implications.  Pharmacy professionals in England have the majority of their assessments and learning for the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education funded by Health Education England and therefore, if applicable, the leanring is free.

Related pathway points of the Dementia Competency Framework:

• Person-centred care
• Timely accurate diagnosis and treatment planning