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Pharmacy bodies and MPs discussed on support needed to unlock the "full potential" of community pharmacy at the All Pharmacy Party Group (APPG)'s general meeting held in Westminster on Tuesday (01 November). The attendees of the meeting were Janet Morrison OBE, Chief Executive of Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee; Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of The Company Chemists' Association; Thorrun Govind, Chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; Sanjeev Panesar, National Pharmacy Association Board Member, and Pharmacist Superintendent and Owner of the Pan Pharmacy Group; and Sandeep Dhami, Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies member and superintendent at MW Phillips Chemist At the session, 18 parliamentarians were briefed on the myriad of ways pharmacies contribute to the health of the nation. The panel of experts also highlighted that pharmacists are 'running out of fuel' with the growing challenges such as flat funding, workforce shortages and the cost-of-living crisis impacting pharmacies' ability to deliver vital services.

Pharmacy First has demonstrated the enormous value of community pharmacy in providing accessible front-line care. However, pharmacists continue to face several challenges in delivering the service. "Pharmacy First is a success, but it needs proper support to reach its full potential," said Numark chairman Harry McQuillan. In the first year alone, community pharmacies in England delivered an incredible 2 million consultations, highlighting the vital role pharmacists and their teams play in supporting the NHS. "This significant number shows the high demand for accessible healthcare and the trust patients place in their local pharmacy teams. It's clear that when empowered, community pharmacy delivers," McQuillan told Pharmacy Business. Key challenges in providing the service While Numark members have embraced Pharmacy First, McQuillan pointed out several challenges that persist: "Workforce capacity continues to be a concern, with patient demand sometimes outpacing available resources. "The administrative burden, particularly around IT interoperability, data capture, and reimbursement processes, adds complexity." "Additionally, some geographical areas are still struggling with public awareness, meaning more work is needed to ensure patients understand when and how they can access Pharmacy First."

We're delighted to announce that Pharmacy Business has become the new associate member at PAGB, the consumer healthcare association. This partnership is part of our commitment to bridging the gap between pharmacy contractors and OTC manufacturers. Through this partnership, we aim to foster stronger engagement and empower community pharmacists to embrace OTC medicines, food supplements and promote self-care and its benefits to their patients. On joining PAGB, Monica Bernal-Quiroz, associate publisher at Pharmacy Business, said: "Pharmacy Business is delighted to partner with PAGB to facilitate a platform where community pharmacies can embrace the full potential of OTC brands. At a time when NHS waiting times are at a record high, we believe that pharmacies can play a critical role in educating and supporting patients in self-care and the treatment of minor ailments, which will help free up GP appointments and hospital services."

A recently published report on medicines optimisation highlights the urgent need for transformative changes across all pharmacies to unlock their full potential in delivering integrated care. The report by Public Policy Projects (PPP) is first of the four in the series that emphasises the significant benefits that medicines optimisation can bring to integrated care systems (ICSs). This includes reducing health inequalities and improving population health. Pointing to the "untapped opportunity" that medicines optimisation presents for ICSs facing financial challenges, the report underscores the vital role of pharmacies in enhancing patient outcomes. The launch of the Pharmacy First services has already demonstrated the essential contribution of pharmacies to the health and care system. With "medicines being the second highest cost to the NHS," the report recommends ways "to achieve better value for money while improving patient outcomes".

The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has voiced strong support for a recent report from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), which advocates for the establishment of a 'Digital Health Record' (DHR) for every individual in the UK. The CCA, which was interviewed as part of the report's development, believes that the creation of a DHR could significantly enhance the NHS's efficiency, improve preventative healthcare, and help the health service harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI). The TBI report highlights that the current health and care system suffers from fragmented data, with individual records scattered across various providers, including community pharmacies. This siloed approach often hampers the delivery of seamless and effective care. A unified DHR, the report argues, would consolidate all relevant health data into a single, accessible record, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care across the entire healthcare system.

Titan PMR has been accredited by the NHS to provide electronic prescription services (EPS) to dispensing doctors. Over 1,000 of these doctors, who provide a vital service to almost 10 million people in rural communities, can now offer their patients the same level of benefits and efficiencies that electronic prescriptions and Titan PMR have brought to pharmacies around the UK. These features will also increase efficiency for dispensing doctors, who will reduce dispensing errors and improve organisation, increasing their capacity while enjoying the ability to integrate with other technologies. After a full year of testing, including six months of compliance testing at a practice in Cumbria, the new accreditation for Titan also has potential to help the NHS fulfil its target of all prescriptions being issued electronically. Currently written paper prescriptions from dispensing doctors account for around seven per cent of the total prescriptions in England - around 6.5 million each month. "Until now dispensing doctor surgeries have basically been in the digital dark ages when it comes to dispensing medicines," said Tariq Muhammad, a tech entrepreneur and CEO of Bristol-based Invatech Health, which developed Titan PMR.

Boots UK to offer a free health MOT for over 40s in England between 1st April until 30th June to help eligible patients identify and take the right steps to address high blood pressure and the potential for increased risk of other health conditions. The Free Health MOT will give over 40s the information needed for them to take actions to support their overall health. It consists of a 15-minute appointment with a Boots pharmacist, during which they will receive- the NHS Blood Pressure Check Service, with GP referral if needed; optional BMI (Body Mass Index) and waist circumference measurement; lifestyle guidance on exercise, nutrition, sleep, mental wellbeing and stopping smoking; and personalised advice and recommendations . At the end of their appointment, patients will receive a booklet containing information about how to lead a healthy lifestyle and a section with the results of their MOT recorded. Claire Nevinson, Superintendent Pharmacist at Boots, said: "The Free Health MOT at Boots is intended to help people gain greater insight into their health and take the steps they need to improve it. As we get older, we become more vulnerable to conditions like high blood pressure, so it's important that we take steps to help stay healthy. The checks done during the MOT and the advice provided not only helps individual patients lead healthier lives but also reduces pressure on the NHS by offering accessible care in pharmacies at the heart of communities." The availability of appointments for a Free Health MOT at Boots comes at a time when new research indicates people want to lead healthier lives.

Healthcare reform emerged as a cornerstone of the Labour Party's manifesto leading up to the recent general election. A standout pledge was the establishment of a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service, aimed at granting pharmacists independent prescribing rights where clinically suitable. This initiative is seen as a positive step in addressing critical challenges within the National Health Service (NHS). Numark Chairman Harry McQuillan praised Labour's recognition of pharmacists' role in patient care through expanded prescribing rights. "Let's be honest, pharmacists are an underutilised resource within the healthcare system. We possess extensive training and expertise, yet our full potential hasn't always been acknowledged. "By harnessing pharmacists expanded prescribing rights, Labour is acknowledging our significant role in patient care. This initiative aims to recognise our skills and enhance patient care, ensuring quicker access to necessary treatments," he said. However, he pointed out that the concept requires further exploration, as the rights to prescribe are already granted through the recent change to undergraduate training that incorporates prescribing.