Background and importance The drug department in the region of Kronoberg in the south of Sweden was assigned to investigate the participation of pharmacists in primary care to increase patient safety.

Aim and objectives The aim of the study was to establish a model for pharmacists at the healthcare centre whose purpose was to improve drug follow-up, get more skilled patients and ease the work for doctors and nurses.

Material and methods Two pharmacists visited one health centre each 1 day a week during the period October 2016–June 2017. Patients ≥75 years receiving ≥5 drugs were included in the study by a nurse. The pharmacists met the patients for 30 min for medication reconciliation and information. After the visit the pharmacist did the medication review and documented drug related problems in the journal, including proposals to the doctor to optimise the medication. The model was evaluated by patients, nurses and doctors in two different surveys.

Results In total, the pharmacists analysed the medication for 116 patients: 81 of 106 patients (76%) answered the survey and 90% were satisfied or quite satisfied with the meeting with the pharmacist. Most of the patients experienced better knowledge about their medication after they met the pharmacist. Among other things, they appreciated the extra time for medication discussions, the possibility to get their questions answered and they felt safer in their medication.

Thirteen doctors and four nurses answered the survey. Most of the doctors were satisfied to cooperate with the pharmacist and to have the pharmacist as a support to optimise their prescribing. Most of the doctors thought that the time they usually spent on reading the journal, reading the drug list and doing the medication reconciliation decreased or was the same. Most doctors and nurses (70%) wanted access to pharmacists in the future; 30% answered “do not know”.

Conclusion and relevance The study has contributed to improve drug follow-up and more skilled patients. It has also contributed to ease the work for doctors and nurses, in terms of both time and quality. The evaluated model can be applied to other health centres in the region of Kronoberg in Sweden.

References and/or acknowledgements No conflict of interest.