The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) estimate medicine checks could save the NHS billions of pounds annually, with around 30,000 patients also facing significantly shorter hospital stays. Researchers included the discharge medicines service, which was brought in to help support patients who are put on new medication when they leave hospital. Expanding the discharge medicines service could generate an additional 12,494 QALYs – valued at £250 million – as well as reducing hospital bed days by 963,216, the report said. If uptake to community pharmacists providing personalised asthma action plans was increased to 90% of total UK need, this could also save £71.6 million. Mr Gregg said: “This compelling new report shows how better patient outcomes could be achieved for a reduced overall cost, given investment in medicines services provided by local pharmacies.