The business landscape worldwide is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a sole focus on profitability to incorporating a broader spectrum
of considerations. Today, Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria are integral to business operations, reflecting a commitment to sustainable and
ethical practices alongside financial growth.
ESG stands for three interconnected pillars: Environmental, focusing on reducing a company's ecological footprint; Social, addressing the impact on employees,
diversity, equity, inclusion, and the broader community; and Governance, which ensures responsible management practices, ethical behavior, and compliance with
regulations.
This holistic approach is becoming a critical foundation for long-term success in various industries, including healthcare. For the UK healthcare and pharmacy
sectors, integrating ESG not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also offers substantial benefits. This article delves into the specific implications
of ESG for UK pharmacies, highlighting how they can leverage these practices to foster both community well-being and business success.
The new data from NHS England has revealed that more than 100,000 patients were treated for minor illness by their high street pharmacist in just one month.
According to new NHS figures, in June, 118,123 people with minor illnesses such as a sore throat or constipation, or those in need of medicine urgently, received
a same-day consultation with their local pharmacist after calling NHS 111 or their GP practice - an increase of more than four-fifths (83%) on the number in the same
month last year (64,512).
The data comes alongside expanded roles for community pharmacies ahead of winter, announced at the NHS England board meeting today.
"From this week, NHS 111 online can directly refer people to their high street pharmacist for a same-day consultation, rather than patients needing to call the
phone line," said NHS England.
Amanda Pritchard, NHS chief executive, said: "Our local pharmacies ensure hundreds of thousands of people every week get the support and medication they need and
today's figures show that in just one month, over 100,000 patients have also had consultations with their local pharmacist for minor illnesses - this means patients
are getting the care they need quickly but also in a convenient way that can fit in with their busy lives.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has announced the retirement of its Chief Executive, Mark Lyonette.
Mark will retire in 2024. The association has announced his retirement well in advance so that the Board can start work with a leading recruitment agency to search
for the new Chief Executive.
"The Board is keen to build on the strong foundations established and ensure there is a seamless transition and minimum disruption to the business once the new Chief
Executive is in post," said the association.
Mark said: "After five years at the NPA and 40 years working for and leading national membership organisations, I am looking forward to living a different life.
"I am pleased that in the time that I have been with the NPA we have grown both the membership and customer base and created a profitable, stable membership
organisation.
"Alongside our NPA Insurance company, the association is well set to help members face the future.
"Meanwhile there is much to do to ensure that 2023 is another good year in terms of the NPA delivering consistently for members. The process of changing Chief
Executive won't deflect us from our vital work."
Paul Rees MBE has joined the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) today (27 November) as its new Chief Executive.
Current NPA Chief Executive Mark Lyonette, who is retiring, will remain at the NPA for some weeks in order to ensure a smooth handover.
Previously, Paul has worked as the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Psychiatrists for the seven years.
On joining NPA, Paul said: "It is a great privilege and honour to take up the position of NPA Chief Executive. The association is the voice of independent
community pharmacy and is core to the sector's future success in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"I am delighted that the NPA has placed its trust in me and I intend to deliver for NPA members, for the sector and for society at large, which relies on there
being a vibrant community pharmacy network in villages, towns and cities across the four nations of the UK."
When Paul's appointment was first announced in September, NPA Chair Nick Kaye said that they identified him as an "excellent fit for our organisation" after a
rigorous recruitment process, and also thanked Mark for his "great work as chief exec since 2018."
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has launched a consultation on whether people agree or disagree that its hearings should continue to be held remotely when it is fair and practical to do so.
The 12-week consultation - which ends on February 8 - seeks views on a proposed permanent change to the GPhC's procedural rules which will allow it to conduct
hearings and meetings by teleconference or videolink.
The pharmacy regulator is seeking changes to enable it to continue to hold some hearings remotely in the future following positive feedback from those taking part
in hearings during the Covid-19 pandemic which the GPhC held remotely by videolink.
"In cases where the GPhC investigates a concern about a pharmacist or pharmacy technician and decides there is evidence to show that their fitness to practise may
be impaired, the case may need to be referred for a hearing before a committee," GPhC said in a statement today (November 16).
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) today (19 October) issued its official response to an evaluation conducted by an independent expert panel
from the Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC) regarding government commitments in the pharmacy sector.
The joint agreement between DHSC, NHSE, and CPE (Community Pharmacy England) under a five-year plan commitment to review the funding model, however, the current
status is "continue to monitor and discuss progress".
The government has claimed that the panel's rating has "not been met" and still "requires improvement".
However, the funding "remains subject to affordability and consultation with the sector on the activity that can be delivered within that funding envelope".
Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Scotland has submitted its evidence to the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee's inquiry into 'Healthcare in remote
and rural areas.'
The Committee had sought views on what policies and actions would be most effective in addressing the issues people face when accessing healthcare in these areas.
During the evidence session today (19 December), Laura Wilson, Director for RPS Scotland, highlighted the challenges faced by pharmacists and pharmacy in remote and
rural areas, as well as provided some of the solutions for ensuring a sustainable pharmacy workforce.
At present, people living in remote and rural areas of Scotland are required to travel to Glasgow or Aberdeen to undertake pharmacy training. Laura underscored the
need to develop alternative education and training pathways, such as "grow your own" models, to support remote and rural areas to develop and retain local pharmacists.
Walgreens Boots Alliance, the American owner of Boots UK, could risk losing billions after a private equity firm interested in buying its UK high street
pharmacy chain valued the retailer at a steep discount, The Telegraph reported on Monday (April 11).
"Buyout funds CVC and Bain indicated that they were willing to pay just £4bn for the business," the newspaper said, adding that "the consortium bowed out of the
running" in March.
The US retail giant Walgreens, which acquired Boots in 2014 for £9bn, has put a £7bn price tag on the UK pharmacy retail chain after selling its wholesale arm,
Alliance Healthcare, last year.
Citing city sources, the newspaper said the low valuation of the pharmacy multiple was "significant" because CVC's UK operations were led by Dominic Murphy, a
Walgreens board member involved with Boots for 15 years.
"He (Murphy) knows where the bodies are buried," the newspaper quoted one City source as stating. A spokesperson for Boots confirmed that CVC and Bain never
lodged a formal offer for the company.
Prime minister Boris Johnson has said he is cautious about rising cases of Covid in Europe, warning of gathering "storm clouds" of a new wave of coronavirus infections.
He made the statement during a visit today (November 12) to a vaccination centre at a community pharmacy in Sidcup, London while encouraging people to come forward
for Covid-19 boosters.
The UK has had much higher rates of Covid-19 than the rest of Western Europe since the summer when Johnson scrapped coronavirus restrictions in England.
However, rates in Britain are now coming down just as they are rising sharply in countries such as Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Parts of Eastern Europe
have also seen a sharp rise in cases.
The Government has been forced to intervene formally 50 times in the past two years to authorise the use of alternative drugs because of serious medicine
shortages hitting patients, new analysis by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has found today.
78 per cent of all Serious Shortage Protocols, produced by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) due to medicine shortages, were issued in
2022/24 - more than three times the rate in the previous two years.
The NPA, which represents independent community pharmacies in the UK, is warning that shortages are leading to pharmacists having to increasingly turn
patients needing vital medication away.
Analysis by the NPA of the NHS's Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) issued to pharmacies and other providers over the last five years has found that:
The number of SSPs issued in the last two years is 3.5 times higher than in the previous two years.
Former Prime Minister Theresa May has formally opened new offices of LEO Pharma UK and Ireland during a launch event in Maidenhead, Berkshire.
The company said on Friday (June 16) that the new building, based at Foundation Park, will function as its UK and Ireland operational headquarters.
LEO Pharma has been manufacturing dermatology products in the UK and Ireland for over 60 years and continues its commitment to the Maidenhead area, where it been
based for 10 years. The grounds offer state-of-the-art facilities and a greener and more sustainable workplace, the company said and hoped that that strong transport
connections at Foundation Park will allow for seamless international collaboration, while a range of health and wellness initiatives will contribute to employee
wellbeing.
This new space will enable a collaborative and flexible work environment for LEO Pharma staff, ensuring they can continue to work to improve the lives of people
living with skin conditions, their families and society.
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, the nation's figurehead and a towering presence on the world stage for seven decades, died peacefully
at her home in Scotland on Thursday aged 96.
"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," the new king, her eldest son Charles,
said.
"I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world," the 73-year-old said in a
statement.
The news has stunned and deeply saddened community pharmacy in Britain.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) issued a statement to say it "has been very saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty the Queen.
"At this time of national mourning, we join the rest of the country in sending our thoughts and condolences to the royal family."
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has submitted a 17-page contribution to the commission on the future of pharmacy professional leadership and
encourages pharmacists to engage in the overall discussion.
The association wants to ensure that the voice of its members is heard in the discussions about the future of professional leadership, which has been initiated by
the four government Chief Pharmaceutical Officers.
The PDA has published its first formal contribution to the commission, in its response it raised concern on the current exercise is being rushed and a call for the
review to be conducted in a more sensible timeframe, one which enables the engagement of the whole profession.
It has urged on being supportive of the creation of a Royal College of Pharmacists to take custodianship of the training and education for pharmacists and to set the
requisite standards, whilst still relying upon the profession's regulators to undertake the accreditation role.
The Chief Pharmacist for England and Co-Chairs of professional leadership commission has responded to the questions raised by the Pharmacists Defence Association
(PDA)'s member on the professional leadership survey.
In early September, the PDA wrote to the UK's Chief Pharmaceutical Officers to increase transparency and confidence in the process by asking for clarification of
some of the commission's thinking, assumptions, and scope.
On behalf of all four CPhOs, Chief Pharmacist for England David Webb provided feedback: "The Commission has two independent co-chairs and members have agreed to
abide by the 7 principles for the conduct of public life as recommended by the Nolan Commission which form part of the Terms of Reference. Commission members have
been appointed on behalf of all pharmacy professionals to contribute their expertise in and knowledge of professional leadership and are not appointed to represent
their particular countries, organisations, sectors or roles."
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) today decided to convene a new group, involving all the key stakeholders, focused on assurance of practice post-registration.
The decision in today's (9 December) council meeting follows the recommendation of a working group chaired by council member and pharmacist Aamer Safdar on the role of the regulator in post-registration education and training.
The new group will be tasked with articulating a set of guiding principles where patient safety is the overarching priority, after carrying out a horizon scanning exercise to pull together an understanding of the system wide approach currently in place.
The working group noted that the wider approach, in relation to regulation of post-registration practice and not simply education and training, may require the GPhC reviewing and developing its own control measures, and involving patients and the public in the next stages of work.
Reviewing the work on online pharmacy services, the council meeting supported the regulator's plans to continue to require pharmacy websites to be arranged so that a person cannot choose a prescription only medicine and its quantity before there has been an appropriate consultation with a prescriber.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has re-elected Andrew Carruthers as chair of RPS Scotland Pharmacy Board.
Andrew is a Medicines Governance pharmacist within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, where he has a clinical commitment to Care of the Elderly. Prior to becoming a
pharmacist, he studied Pharmacology at the University of Glasgow, and maintains a keen interest in pharmacokinetics and research.
In his address for the position, he said: "In my second term I want to continue to support and drive the introduction of RPS Ambassadors and the creation of an
online RPS community."
"As a previous RPS local coordinator, I've seen first-hand that RPS Local events are a great forum to formally support the training and development of local
pharmacists. With input from our members and RPS staff we could share learning, inspire, and enable development, and build a supportive online community for the
profession."
He was the RPS Local Co-ordinator for Greater Glasgow and Clyde for 3 years, then he co-opted on to the Scottish Pharmacy Board (SPB) in 2018 and have been an
active and effective member of the board. He was re-elected to the board in 2021 and he stood and was elected as Chair.
Alphega Pharmacy Oncology Support Programme allows community pharmacists from six European countries to enhance support and guidance they provide to cancer
patients.
The programme aims to help upskill pharmacists and their teams to provide more expert advice to patients living with cancer, raising their profile in the community
as key healthcare providers.
Enhancing knowledge amongst community pharmacists about cancer treatment and its side effects is vital as cancer cases are set to increase if current trends continue.
The programme covers practical help topics, such as oral care, nutrition advice and skin, hair and nail care among others, helping patients to get more of the support
they need because community pharmacists are easily accessible, rather than needing to book a GP or consultant appointment.
With rates of cancer forecast to rise throughout Europe , and cancer patients likely on average to visit hospital less often, community pharmacists are well-placed to
look to support cancer patients with managing the side-effects of their treatment.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has called its member to to express their views and fill out the Department of Health and Social Care's hub and
spoke survey on the proposed model of dispensing.
The Society has urged its members to fill out the survey before May 20.
RPS president Claire Anderson said: "It is vital that RPS members have their say on issue that impact you in your roles. Currently only single legal entities
can make use of this model of dispensing.
"Our survey, which opened today, seeks your views and comments and will help to inform the RPS submission to this consultation."
The consultation on the proposals to enable all community pharmacies to access hub and spoke dispensing published by the Department of Health and Social Care
(DHSC) will run for three months and will close on June 8, 2022.
Walgreens Boots Alliance, the parent company of Boots UK, has begun a strategic review of its business in the United Kingdom, chief executive officer Rosalind Brewer said on Tuesday (January 11) - as the pharmacy chain tries to renew its focus on US healthcare.
Boots has over 2,200 stores across the UK, which include pharmacies, health and beauty stores, among others, according to the chain's website.
"This review is very much in line with our renewed priorities and strategic direction. In particular, our increased focus on US healthcare. While the process is at an exploratory stage, we do expect to move quickly," Brewer said at the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference.
The review comes at a time when the company, which was formed in 2014 after the acquisition of stake in Alliance Boots by Walgreens, moves beyond its drugstores with its investments in two smaller healthcare providers, CareCentrix and VillageMD.
Pharmacists in the UK are reporting significant shortages of a common antibiotic used to treat whooping cough (pertussis), amid rising cases of this bacterial
infection.
Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that clarithromycin, one of the key
antibiotics for treating whooping cough in children, is "completely out of stock."
Clarithromycin is an antibiotic commonly recommended for babies and infants under the age of 1 month.
Dr. Leyla said that as pharmacies cannot get the antibiotic, they are being forced to turn patients away or send them back to their doctors to have their
prescriptions changed to azithromycin or other antibiotics for treating whooping cough.