Saba Ali

I am a Clinical Pharmacist and independent prescriber currently working in primary care within a broad clinical role, carrying out both remote and telephone clinics for medicines optimisation of chronic conditions including hypertension, type 2 diabetes, asthma, hyperlipidaemia, primary and secondary prevention, HRT prescribing as well as palliative prescribing. I have a special interest in Women's health and run specialist HRT clinics for perimenopausal/menopausal women with a high level of knowledge of both oral or transdermal formulations of HRT. Alongside running clinics, I am the first port of call for providing pharmaceutical advice to all clinicians across the multidisciplinary team.

In addition, I work closely with the medicines management team and the local ICB pharmacists on project work, ensuring the annual PQS projects are done efficiently as well as supporting the pharmacy technicians in running the high-risk drug monitoring, and medicines safety dashboard searches on EMIS. I also have extensive community pharmacy experience, focusing on medicines procurement, clinical services, and patient initiatives such as Pharmacy First. This has strengthened my patient-centred approach, ensuring safe and effective care.

Working across multidisciplinary teams and settings has developed my adaptability, clinical decision-making, and collaboration skills. I am committed to continuous professional development to improve outcomes and support high-quality, patient-centred care.

GP Clinical Pharmacist (IP) - Mendip Vale Medical Practice

(2023-08)

• Warfarin dose optimisation (INR star): Adjusting warfarin doses in line with the INR results, escalating to GP/specialist for out-of-range results
• HRT clinics: Carrying out HRT clinics focused on individualising oestrogen and progesterone regimens for the management of menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms, as well as monitoring Testosterone when prescribed by the specialist
• Proficiency with using the EMIS system
• Medicines reconciliation: updating medical records in line with changes made in secondary care ensuring a smooth transfer of care from secondary to primary care
• High risk drug monitoring: working collaboratively with pharmacy technicians ensuring all blood tests monitoring are up to date for high-risk drug monitoring
• Constructed Medication reviews: carried out both remotely or face to face for chronic disease management (Hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, Asthma, HRT prescribing, Palliative prescribing)
• Project management: leading PQS projects, ensuring medicine safety dashboard searches are up to date. Working closely with the ICB pharmacists to ensure any project targets are met timely

Locum Community Pharmacist - Locum Community Pharmacy

(2023-08)

• Providing clinical checks and ensuring safe supply of medicines
• Delivering patient counselling on prescribed and over-the-counter medications
• Providing NHS and private services (e.g. Pharmacy First, minor ailments, emergency contraception, flu vaccinations)
• Supervising and supporting pharmacy staff, including technicians and dispensers
• Managing stock control, ordering, and handling medicines shortages
• Maintaining accurate records and always ensuring confidentiality
• Responding to drug safety alerts and implementing necessary actions

Trainee Pharmacist - Downend Health Group

(2022-08 - 2023-02)

• Running hypertension clinics: Blood pressure monitoring for patients on the hypertension register, including medicines optimisation for patients on antihypertensives followed by appropriate monitoring, under the supervision of a pharmacist
• EMIS Trained
• Processing discharge letters: Medicines reconciliation based on discharge letters, updating GP records with any medication changes. Transferring bloods from ICE. Referring patients to the appropriate clinician for follow ups
• Auditing: Data collection for a PQS audit, monitoring of patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists ensuring that they're prescribed in line with NICE guidelines
• Vaccinator: Administration of flu vaccination for high-risk patients
• QI projects: Investigating whether FeNO testing can be run parallel to spirometry for the diagnosis of asthma. 5 Days of FeNO testing clinics run independently, results of clinics were presented and discussed with PCN

Trainee Pharmacist - Cleevewood Pharmacy

(2023-02 - 2023-08)

A 6-month integrated programme as part of my foundation pharmacy training split between hospital and community:

• Supporting the RP in consulting patients referred via CPCS referrals
• Carrying out physical examinations and diagnostic tests for a range of minor ailments i.e. tonsillitis, urinalysis and otoscopy; under the supervision of a pharmacist
• Data collection for a PSNC audit whereby the scope was ensuring that an appropriate form of contraception was put in place for women of childbearing age taking sodium valproate due to its teratogenicity
• Dealing with medication supply shortages by working closely with the medicines management team in GP surgeries, suggesting them clinically suitable alternatives
• Dispensing using an innovative PMR system (TITAN)

Trainee Pharmacist - Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI) hospital

(2023-05 - 2023-08)

A hospital placement as part of my foundation training programme in which I was exposed to various departments involving pharmacists within their multidisciplinary team:

• Paediatrics ICU: Screening and clinically checking drug charts. Ensuring medication dosages are in line with BNFC, whilst also tailoring doses according to physiological and physical parameters
• Clinical Trials: Gained an insight into the medication supply processes for double-blind trials, including dispensing and labelling via the computerised system
• Medicines Information: Supervising and assisting the pharmacist in solving complex medication related queries inputted from healthcare professionals across the hospital trust
• Pharmacogenomics (CAR-T cell therapy): Being one of the few trusts across the UK offering the innovative CAR-T cell therapy, pharmacists are highly involved in screening patients and liaising with clinicians internationally who are involved in the manufacturing process of CAR-T cells infusions which are then co-administered with chemotherapeutics
• Pharmacy Aseptic Unit: Assembling of chemotherapeutics following GMP protocols. Carrying out pharmaceutical calculations, ensuring dosages are in line with SPC guidance

Master of Pharmacy - Pharmacy - Cardiff University (2018 - 2022)

PGcert - Independent prescribing.

Specialist area of prescribing: Hormone Replacement therapy (HRT) in menopause management - University of West of England (UWE) (2024 - 2025)

A levels - Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Italian - Montpelier High School (2016 - 2018)