Pharmacists Get Their Say At 2008 Party Conferences

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 09 Oct 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Grass-roots pharmacists have been working together to promote the value of community pharmacy at all three political party conferences. Over the past few weeks the pharmacists have attended the Liberal Democrat, Labour and Conservative party conferences to highlight the ability of the profession to contribute to each party's objectives in public health and primary care.

The pharmacists, selected by the Companies Chemists' Association (CCA), National Pharmacy Association (NPA), Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB), attended to ensure that pharmacy's voice was heard and understood.

The exercise was a unique opportunity for pharmacists to engage directly with decision makers on the matters that impact them. They met with the health teams' from each of the parties , and attended health fringe events to highlight the role that pharmacy can play in delivering primary health care to the local community.

Graham Jones, an independent pharmacist from Newbury, Berkshire, who attended Conservative Party conference in Birmingham said:

'It was an excellent opportunity to highlight the role that community pharmacy can and should play in delivering the public health agenda. I had positive discussions with Andrew Lansley MP and Ann Milton MP who were both extremely supportive of pharmacy, and recognised our importance in the community. Andrew Lansley was particularly interesting in talking about how future responsibility for the dispensing process may develop'.

Mark Collins, a community pharmacist from the North West and PSNC North Western Regional Representative, who attended Labour Party conference in Manchester said:

'I was delighted to be given this opportunity to engage with parliamentarians and other stakeholders to discuss issues around extending the role of community pharmacy in the future. Clearly there is support from Government about the development of Community Pharmacy, particularly around becoming healthy living centres and working to deliver public health messages'.

National Pharmacy Association

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