The Medicine Optimisation Scheme aims to improve early identification and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and reduce cardio-renal risk by increasing uACR testing and optimising ACE/ARB prescribing.
Open to primary care clinical staff - including nurses, practice pharmacists and GPs
The session will be led by local nephrologists and include case studies and a panel discussion.
The session will cover the following areas:
- Urine ACR Testing
- Importance of early CKD detection - the prognostic value of albuminuria as an early marker of kidney and cardiovascular disease – advantages over eGFR.
- At risk populations and recommendations for monitoring intervals.
- Interpreting uACR results - classification of albuminuria and using uACR results to stratify CKD risk.
- How albuminuria informs therapeutic decisions and referral.
- ACE/ARB
- Pharmacology and mode of action
- Renal and cardiovascular benefits of RAAS inhibition.
- Benefits beyond blood pressure control and when to initiate in normotensive patients.
- Clinical Indications for starting ACE/ARB.
- Baseline checks and follow‑up monitoring
- What constitutes an acceptable creatinine rise or eGFR decline
- How to titrate to the highest tolerated dose.
- Understanding hyperkalaemia thresholds and management strategies
- When to continue vs pause vs stop ACE/ARB
- Managing symptomatic hypotension
- Handling patients with prior ACE/ARB ‘intolerance’
- Using uACR to monitor CKD progression and as a trigger for ACE/ARB intensification
- When to refer
Clinicians will leave the session with:
- Practical skills to support the medicines optimisation scheme and improve patient outcomes
- A more proactive approach to identifying cardio‑renal risk earlier in primary care.
- Greater diagnostic confidence in CKD detection.
- Better understanding of how to use uACR to guide management.
- Clearer clinical decision‑making pathways for CKD risk stratification and treatment escalation.
- Improved prescribing competence around ACEI/ARBs - initiation, titration, monitoring
To register, please click here.
