NPA Statement In Response To Government's White Paper, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 04 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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The NPA welcomes today's White Paper - a statement of faith in community pharmacy by Government. The White Paper signals that it's time to unlock the long recognised potential of community pharmacy.

However, there remains a lot of detailed work to be done on the contractual mechanisms that underpin NHS-funded pharmacy services. There now needs to be concerted effort from all parties to help pharmacy over the obstacles still in the way of an expanded clinical role.

Colette McCreedy, NPA Chief Pharmacist, comments:

"In recent years, pharmacists have expanded their role and many are already providing minor ailment and stop smoking services on behalf of the NHS. We know that where these services have been trialled patients and the public have voiced their appreciation, but many people are still not benefiting from such schemes, as health service managers in some locations do not yet understand what pharmacy has to offer. Community pharmacy's unique strength lies in face-to-face access to health expertise on the High Street. We hope that today's announcement means that Government now wants extended services to be available to all those that need them."

And adds:

"We want to take our place as a more full and active partner in primary care, working with GPs. New pharmacy services, from Medicines Use Reviews to supplementary prescribing, work best where there is communication and trust on all sides - GP, pharmacist and patient. We want to play a full part in creating a genuinely responsive and equitable health service, in partnership with general practice and others."

Notes

1. Pharmacists are highly trained professionals - registration as a pharmacist now requires four years education at an approved university leading to a Masters degree, ending with a final examination, plus one year's preregistration work in a pharmacy setting.

2. Increased use of community pharmacy would mark a shift to more equitable health provision, by bringing a wider range of services into the heart of neighbourhood communities.

3. Community Pharmacies are within reach of the people who need them most, including the most disadvantaged. As the White Paper states, 99% of the population - even those living in the most deprived areas - can get to a pharmacy within 20 minutes by car and 96% by walking or using public transport.

4. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is the trade association for the UK's community pharmacy owners and has virtually all community pharmacies in voluntary membership. The Association provides its members with professional and commercial support as well as representing the interests of community pharmacy in dialogue with Government both at a national and European level.

National Pharmacy Association