Over 50 Pharmacists Trained Up For NPA's Seasonal Flu Vaccination Service

Main Category: Flu / Cold / SARS
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 29 Jul 2009 - 12:00 PDT

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Over 50 pharmacists have been trained to provide seasonal flu vaccinations under a private Patient Group Direction that the NPA is facilitating. Training days were conducted in London and Birmingham with further training days scheduled at the start of September 2009 in Newport, Durham, St Albans and Haydock.

Raj Nutan, NPA Head of Business Development said: "Members were telling us that the burden of regulation was frustrating them if they wished to supply prescription medicines via private patient group directions. So we have embarked on developing a series of PGD opportunities that will provide them with a means of clearing the regulatory hurdle effortlessly. A bonus for NPA members is that they won't need additional insurance - NPA Insurance already covers the pharmacist for providing this NPA service.

Nitin Shah, Fulham Pharmacy, London said: "There has always been a scope for a pharmacy based flu vaccination service especially when the NHS only provides for over 65 and at risk groups only. From business economics £370 is easily a worthwhile investment. The actual training was very much 'hands on' and I feel very comfortable at the prospect of commencing this soon. Overall the day covered all aspects of training well especially 'trouble shooting'."

Source
National Pharmacy Association

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