June 2008 NPA Board Meeting

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 10 Jul 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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NPA Chairman, Paul Bennett, comments on some of the items discussed at the June 2008 board meeting

1. Pharmacists and their staff should be designated "front line worker" status in the case of emergencies

"Preparation for the actions required during a national emergency, for example a 'flu pandemic, are well advanced in the UK. However, at present, pharmacists have not been assured that their role as "front line workers" is recognised. It's vital that the medicine supply chain and pharmaceutical services are given priority access to fuel and other resources that may be in short supply or rationed. We will be making representations to Government asking for a guarantee that pharmacy will be offered the same status as other colleagues working in front line health services before an emergency event is upon us."

2. PCTs must think "pharmacy" before they act on GP-led health centres

"Pressure on PCTs to deliver new premises for GPs can blinker commissioners to the harm badly thought through primary care estate plans can cause to other community based providers, including pharmacy. There is also worrying trend for pharmacy to be thought of as a way of propping up funding for new buildings rather than as part of the health provision in the locality.

In response the NPA has written to all PCT Chief Executives reminding them of their responsibility to their patients and the wider public by improving access to healthcare close to where people live and work. The community pharmacy network is a fragile resource which has been rocked by recent changes in NHS funding. Conversely we have seen a vision from Government of pharmacy as a central plank in the delivery of public health services. We are asking PCTs to show how their plans for GP premises can facilitate this vision rather than obscure it."

3. Generic Tendering - developments in Northern Ireland

"Once again we see a health system take a serious look at tendering for generic medicines. The board has considered the proposals and remains unconvinced that changing to such a system will benefit patients, the taxpayer, pharmacists or medicine manufacturers. Indeed, the long term effects may include increasing costs for medicines, reduced availability leading to a brittle medicine supply chain for patients. The NPA will play its part in constructing the argument to support our colleagues in NI in their continuing negotiations."

4. Scotland Member events

"I am pleased that the NPA trial of a face to face regional meeting for members in London has proved successful. In July we will roll out events in Scotland and in Essex - with face to face meetings in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Brentwood. There are plans for further events in NI, England and Wales later in the year."

5. NPA Insurance - statement of values

"The Board was pleased to receive a comprehensive business strategy from the Insurance Director, Paul Coleman. The expansion of the insurance directorate has highlighted the need to re iterate the core principles that underpin the operation of that Directorate. Our members have benefitted from the provision of professional indemnity, legal defence, advice, assistance and representation since 1899. NPA Insurance remains an organisation with the interests of community pharmacists at its heart. Indeed, profit from the NPA group is used to support the development of member services."

National Pharmacy Association