July 2008 National Pharmacy Association Board Meeting, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 04 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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NPA (National Pharmacy Association) Chairman, Paul Bennett, comments on some of the items discussed at the July 2008 board meeting:

1 NPA Strategic Purpose

"The NPA exists to serve members. Our purpose is to represent, support and protect the interests of all community pharmacy owners across the UK. The Board was pleased to endorse the vision outlined by the Chief Executive of a membership body that will "serve to lead". Over the coming weeks and months the Associations activities will centre on making that vision a reality through powerful representation and innovative support services. I look forward to sharing the details of the programme with our members very soon."

2 Minor Ailments Scheme in Northern Ireland

"The Board was gravely concerned by the approach taken by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland with regard to the roll out of a national minor ailments scheme. Our colleagues in PCC have presented entirely reasonable proposals to the Government with regard to the scheme that have been rejected without explanation.

It is not often that pharmacy bares its teeth - but this situation requires a clear, unequivocal position. The PCC and UCA have called upon this organisation to support the resolution already carried by their members. The unanimous response of this Board is to recommend that all NPA members withdraw from the minor ailments scheme in Northern Ireland with immediate effect. It is my sincere hope that this action will spur the Department to return to the negotiating table so that patients and the public in the Province can benefit from this service."

3 PIP code

"The NPA and CMPMedica are partners in the PIP code project that provides the data backbone to much of the electronic communication in pharmacy systems. This Board believes the benefit of having a single dataset for pharmacy electronic communications is an asset to be coveted in which pharmacy should invest. We are aware that recent changes in the structure and pricing by CMPMedica have caused concern amongst NPA members. I have therefore asked the NPA to work in partnership with CMPMedica to improve communication of the changes and benefits of this important project to NPA members."

4 Chris Jenkins - new Board member for Wales

"I would like to welcome our newest Board Member, Chris, to his first Board meeting in Mallinson House. We are always open to fresh thinking and new ideas and I am thankful for the contribution Chris has made over the two days. I have no doubt that the experience and insight that Chris has as an independent contractor in a rural constituency will ensure we are inclusive of the concerns of NPA members in a similar situation."

5 Pharmacy White Paper - a collaborative approach

"I was pleased to report to my fellow Board Members that a spirit of collaboration between the pharmacy bodies has underpinned the approach that will be taken with regard to the Pharmacy White Paper, an approach that will benefit the profession generally and NPA members specifically. This approach has delivered another dividend - we are now seeing a coming together of views on the Electronic Prescription Service in England."

6 NPA Response to PSNC and DDA joint statement

"The NPA remains broadly supportive of the proposals with regard to dispensing doctors contained within the Pharmacy White Paper. The NPA is clear that this issue is a matter that needs to be resolved between the representatives of dispensing doctors and the Department of Health. The Board awaits the consultation promised by the Department with regard to 100 hour contracts, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors where we will give the proposals on each our full consideration."

National Pharmacy Association Ltd
http://www.npa.co.uk

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