Pharmacists need to think differently about their businesses if they are to translate political support into action on the ground. So said Numark managing director, John D’Arcy, opening his company’s annual conference in Buenos Aires (reports Richard Thomas).

“We are totally reactive as a profession and must be more proactive as we move towards a service proposition,” he said. The environment was hostile but in a “bankrupt” NHS, community pharmacists’ resonance with their customers represented a big opportunity. “But we need to make it happen, en masse.”

It is important to have a goal and a business plan, and to deliver consistently with each team member playing their part. “Involve your team up front, explain where you want to be in five years’ time, be clear with your vision and take them with you,” he told delegates.

Delegate, empower and invest in your support teams, he continued. Identify their learning and development needs. Continuing professional development, for both pharmacists and their staff, “should be ingrained in our practice and something that we want to do as part of our job”.