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keith-ridge

Opinion: One primary care contract for all?

Is having a single primary care contract for GPs and pharmacists a pipe dream or a realistic ambition? Former chief pharmaceutical officer for England, Keith Ridge, ponders the question…

18 Feb 2026

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Pharmacy Magazine Podcast – Talking Pharmacy, July 28

More good news for pharmacy vaccination services, the RPS U-turns over the P category, arguments continue over voting secrecy at CPE – plus the Self-Care Census 2025 reveals that confidence in pharmacy is falling and a surprise guest pops in...

28 Jul 2025

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Opinion: Pharmacy is in a much better place. Really.

The new Government is trying to repair a ‘broken’ NHS and Lord Darzi has been brought back into the fold to advise Labour ministers for a second time. I was there when he did his first review in 2007, says Keith Ridge, former chief pharmacist for England. So what’s changed?

17 Oct 2024

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Opinion: Crying wolf about the elephant in the room...

Have community pharmacy owners and their representatives been crying wolf for the past 30 years? One of our readers* has been crunching the numbers and draws some interesting conclusions. But is he or she right?

06 Sep 2024

andrew-mccoig

Opinion: Hoarding, shoplifting and a new Government

We have a new Government. Let’s hope we also have a more sympathetic approach to all the problems facing the sector. I have high hopes – pharmacy has always fared better under a Labour administration, writes retired pharmacist Andrew McCoig.

02 Aug 2024

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Opinion: Strategy needed for the bigger picture

Alongside a strategy for the health service, the new Government needs a strategy for health. The NHS is but one component in a much broader picture, says Berkshire community pharmacist Graham Jones.

18 Jul 2024

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Pharmacy Magazine Podcast – Talking Pharmacy Election Special 2024

The CIG editors examine what the main political parties have been saying about community pharmacy from a policy perspective and discuss what might be in store for the sector under a new Government ahead of Thursday's general election.

02 Jul 2024

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Pharmacy Magazine In Conversation With podcast – Shilpa Shah, CP NEL

PM editor Richard Thomas talks to Community Pharmacy North East London chief executive, Shilpa Shah, about professional leadership, Pharmacy First, contractor morale and closures, an important new local service, reappropriating ARRS funding, Wes Streeting and the enjoyment of returning to your roots.

20 Apr 2024

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Pharmacy Magazine Podcast – Talking Pharmacy, March 27

The Editors are back with their end-of-term Easter school reports – who in pharmacy has got distinction A*s and a gold star and who's got the dreaded "must try harder" detention...

27 Mar 2024

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Opinion: Pharmacy needs to clear the decks

Back in the 17th century, sailors would remove from the deck of their ship anything that could hinder success in a forthcoming battle. For pharmacy, clearing the decks is definitely just as pertinent, says Keith Ridge, former chief pharmaceutical officer for England.

01 Aug 2023

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Pharmacy Magazine Podcast – Talking Pharmacy, June 15

The perils of naming and shaming, 'Broken Britain', homecare services in crisis and all that is best in community pharmacy. Plus – Sooty and Sweep...

15 Jun 2023

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Pharmacy Magazine Podcast – Talking Pharmacy, May 18

The editors are back discussing the big pharmacy stories of the week. Pharmacist prescribing, GPhC fee hikes, the £645m service announcement and the Daily Mail – all feature.

18 May 2023

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