From Pill Makers To Public Health Advisors: Pharmacists Celebrate 60 Years In The NHS, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 03 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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The NHS celebrates its diamond anniversary on Saturday 5 July. Since its inception in 1948 pharmacists have evolved to become an integral part of the healthcare team. To mark this special occasion, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has launched a web video reflecting on the history of pharmacy and its development over the last six decades.

Before the NHS was established, a visit to the doctor was a costly exercise for patients. The high street chemist (now known as a pharmacist) would have been most people's first port of call for healthcare advice and treatment. Back then, pharmacists were expected to prepare a wide range of products from raw ingredients - taking up much of their time.

The advent of the NHS saw the community pharmacist's role shift to a dispenser of doctor's prescriptions. Like their 1948 counterparts, today's pharmacists still have a key role in advising patients on which medicines to take, but the role has extended into areas such as prescribing and the management of long-term conditions, which make full use of pharmacists' training and expertise.

The Society's President Steve Churton said:

"In celebrating the 60th anniversary of the NHS we should also take time to think about how far the role of the pharmacy in all sectors has developed since 1948. Pharmacists today provide a diverse and highly skilled range of expertise and services like smoking cessation, weight loss clinics, diabetes tests, cholesterol and blood pressure checks. Some offer important services like methadone clinics and use cutting edge technologies such as robotic dispensing arms allowing them to spend more time looking after the health of patients.

"Pharmacists aren't shut in rooms mixing medicines anymore; they are taking on clinical roles at the front-line of public healthcare. The profession is unrecognisable from 60 years ago and continues to experience a phase of profound change and development. The opportunities open to the profession are far-reaching and pharmacists are being increasingly recognised for their clinical skill and the contribution they make to the nation's health. "The Society has done a lot to bring about these changes and help to create opportunities that promise a bright future for pharmacy. We are a hugely committed and capable profession with great potential, and I look forward to the development of more clinical roles and responsibility and the continued integration of pharmacy within the NHS."

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain