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Opinion

Hear the opinions and comment from some of the top names in pharmacy. Make sure you get in touch and share your opinions with us too.
opinion

Commentary: The RPS needs to be replaced

Pharmacy’s professional leadership body is not in a good place, mired in controversies of its own making. It should consider the bold step of dissolution, argues former president Steve Churton.

31 Jul 2023

looking-to-the-future

‘Making Changes Meeting Needs’ outlines the future

A new document from the NPA sets out what we think community pharmacy can achieve over the next few years – if properly supported, says Gareth Jones, director of corporate affairs

14 Jul 2023

money

Insight: It’s time to charge for consultations

The economic model for OTC medicines is well and truly broken. With the advent of universal pharmacist prescribing on the horizon, we need to have a fundamental rethink about what the future of self care in pharmacy looks like...

14 Jul 2023

professionalism

What kind of image are you portraying?

Further integration of community pharmacy into the NHS will strengthen the sector’s clinical future. But for that to happen pharmacies need to ensure they are portraying the right professional image, says Liam Stapleton

13 Jul 2023

out-of-time

Insight: Cakeism at NHSE no longer feasible

It is good news that pharmacy will now be paid for some of the displaced minor ailment activity from general practice – but it doesn’t address the problem of how I’m going to find time in my working day to see more patients with complex needs...

20 Jun 2023

appraisal

What kind of pharmacist are you?

We need a new method of appraisal for pharmacists that doesn’t just focus on business measures but also takes into account the impact practitioners have, improves job satisfaction and builds motivation, says Liam Stapleton

19 Jun 2023

contraception

Why wait to offer a contraception service?

The news of a Pharmacy First scheme in England is exciting but it is important to remember that as far as contraception is concerned, a supply route already exists, says Anna Maxwell, chief executive of Maxwellia

19 Jun 2023

surf

Surfing is better than swimming – or sinking

The new funding for pharmacy in England is a positive turn in the tide – but it is important now to begin thinking about the transitional steps everyone needs to take to realise their share of the £645m, says Michael Lennox, chief officer of Somerset LPC.

18 Jun 2023

arrows

Transformative change is the order of the day

After months of testing with NPA members, we are getting close to finalising an ambitious new vision for community pharmacy, says the association’s new vice chair Jay Badenhorst

18 Jun 2023

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Insight: I feel like toast but better times ahead?

With the Government having imposed a new set of utterly reckless regulatory requirements on the sector, morale has never been lower. The announcement of new investment in community pharmacy will do well to redress this sorry state of affairs...

15 May 2023

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NAPC view: Fund care, not just supply

It is time to recognise that all pharmacists in all settings are clinicians, who apply their knowledge in different ways, says National Association of Primary Care president Ash Soni.

15 May 2023

pharmacy lead.jpg

Opinion: Four pharmacies and a load of hassle

What image do we portray to the public and policy-makers? The pharmacy PR machine describes the many great things that the sector has to offer, but is this the experience that people walking into pharmacies actually have?

15 May 2023

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Opinion: Stop complaining, these ads are a bonus

NHS adverts are encouraging people to visit their local community pharmacy for common ailments. They certainly have an impact so why have some in the sector been complaining about them, wonders our columnist Liam Stapleton

25 Apr 2023

leadership.jpg

Reader's Letter: Pharmacists need better leadership

We continually hear pharmacy representatives moaning about community pharmacists leaving for other roles. Perhaps stronger leadership would have prevented this from happening.

25 Apr 2023

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