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It is ironic that at a time when the professional bodies for pharmacy and general practice are working so closely together on issues such as surgery-based pharmacists, relations on the ground between community pharmacists and GPs are increasingly strained.

Whether it is arguments over flu vaccinations, EPS difficulties, Lyrica queries, prescription direction or obstructive receptionists, as Alexander Humphries points out in his Insight column, when GPs retreat into their bunkers or throw their weight around, it can make day-to-day pharmacy operations very difficult. 

Many of the frustrations seem to be caused by the sheer weight of repeat prescriptions generated and dispensed. As item numbers continue to rise relentlessly, processes in GP surgeries (and pharmacies for that matter) are creaking under the strain, with the poor patient caught in the middle. It is possible (although don't hold your breath) that EPS could solve some of these problems €“ but for how long?

The demands of an ageing population and changing prescribing patterns mean this source of friction between pharmacy and GP practice will only get worse as the system is pushed to breaking point.

PS. If you do nothing else this month, then get your pharmacy team to check out the new-look Training Matters. With revamped educational content and a new website €“ tmmagazine.co.uk €“ it is an essential learning companion for medicines counter assistants and pharmacy technicians.