Talking solutions at Number 10

In Opinion

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

This month I had the privilege of representing community pharmacy at 10 Downing Street, alongside senior NPA executives. 

This was not simply a meeting about the challenges facing our sector. It was an opportunity to talk about solutions and to demonstrate the contribution that community pharmacy can make to the future of the NHS.

We discussed what pharmacy is already delivering – contraception, vaccinations, Pharmacy First and, of course, the safe supply of medicines – and noted how quickly our profession can mobilise when services are commissioned properly.

The recent MenB programme is a great example of the sector’s agility, with community pharmacies generating 135,000 bookings and administering 90,000 first doses within the first two weeks alone, despite vaccine supply challenges outside pharmacy’s control.

When Government gives community pharmacy the opportunity, the profession responds. Not merely asking for more responsibility, but also demonstrating that we are ready to take it. 

We made clear that despite recent positive steps forwards, pharmacies still face a significant funding gap and, unlike certain other NHS colleagues, an unfair business rates bill.

Future focus

But we also looked forward, discussing independent prescribing, prevention, cardiovascular screening, weight management, women’s health, long-term conditions, medicines optimisation, and public health.

Taken together, these represent an opportunity to rethink the role of community pharmacy within the NHS. We must move from being seen primarily as a place where medicines are supplied to being viewed as a clinical healthcare provider in every neighbourhood.

That is the conversation we are taking to government. Our visit to Number 10 is not a one-off.

In August, NPA staff were next door at the Treasury, describing the huge value that pharmacies offer the NHS. Every time we meet Treasury officials they want to know how we can offer value for taxpayers’ money – that is their job. However, there is now a definite change in tone: they accept that there are opportunities for community pharmacy to do more. 

The conversation is moving to “how much more could pharmacy do, and what would the NHS gain from it?”

One of the highest value areas for the NHS is cutting down on medicine waste and improving outcomes by reviewing and optimising patients’ medicine regimens. We argue that the NHS could commission pharmacies to conduct regular medicine reviews to reduce inappropriate polypharmacy, lower hospital readmissions, cut wastage and improve outcomes for patients.

Our economic analysis identified £1.21bn of potential NHS savings from investing in community pharmacy medicines advice services, alongside a further £2.7bn in measured health gain. 

Of course, not all the answers to the many challenges facing community pharmacy are to be found in Downing Street. The NPA’s responsibility is to keep making the case, keep challenging where necessary and keep turning conversations into action.

Our members should not have to spend their days fighting for the future of their profession. They should be able to concentrate on running their pharmacies, serving their patients and delivering excellent care. That is why the NPA works so hard to ensure the sector’s voice is heard where decisions are made.

We’re also committed to giving our members the practical support they need to deliver great health care and develop their service offering. Please check out our new pharmacist prescribing programme, which includes free of charge training, clinical guidance and business support.