INR / CPAMS
If you are taking warfarin, you will be familiar with the regular blood tests to make sure you are taking the correct warfarin dose. This is known as International Normalised Ratio (INR) testing, which checks how long it will take for your blood to clot. The pharmacy-based warfarin service called the Community Pharmacy Anti-Coagulation Management Service (CPAMS) is also available.
This service means that instead of going to the laboratory each test, your accredited Buchanans Pharmacists measure your INR levels using just a small sample of blood form a finger prick.
GETTING AN INR TEST:
Your General Practitioner (GP) will need to refer you. Once you have been referred, simply visit us instead of the laboratory when your next blood test is due.
- Your pharmacist will take a finger prick blood sample.
- You see your results immediately and your pharmacist will advise you on what dose of warfarin to take.
- You will be provided with a small take home calendar to help you remember your next dose and next test date.
- Your GP is informed of the INR results, as they retain overall responsibility for your care.
If you are interested in this service, you can talk to your GP, practice nurse or the pharmacist who will provide you with a form to take to your GP. You can choose to leave the service at any time and return to care under your GP.
