A survey report by market research and data analytics firm, YouGov, has indicated that while there is a demand for home pharmacy delivery among consumers,
the current supply or awareness of this type of service appears to be low.
The poll found that approximately one-fifth of British consumers (18 per cent) have used a pharmacy delivery service in the past year.
However, more than double that figure (40 per cent) expressed their intent to use such a service in the next 12 months if it were available, suggesting an
opportunity for growth in this sector.
This difference is especially pronounced in the Midlands, Scotland, and Wales, where the potential demand more than triples actual use.
Compared to other regions, the current use of pharmacy delivery services is notably low in the Midlands, standing at 12 per cent, and in Wales and Scotland,
where the collective usage rate stands at 14 per cent.
The professional leadership body for pharmacists has urged the General Pharmaceutical Council's (GPhC) to make it mandatory to have a chief pharmacist within
organisations to ensure transparency for patients, the public and pharmacy staff.
On 23 January, the GPhC launched a consultation seeking views on the new draft Standards for Chief Pharmacists it has developed to strengthen pharmacy governance.
These standards outlined the professional responsibilities and qualifications required by a chief pharmacist to support their organisation and its staff to deliver
"safe and effective" pharmacy services.
The pharmacy regulator highlighted the importance of having a registered chief pharmacist meeting these standards in hospitals (or relevant settings) to benefit
from the new legislation regarding accidental errors.
In response to the consultation, the RPS expressed that while meeting these standards could enhance pharmacy governance, they may not provide the framework needed
to fully support staff in reporting and learning from errors.
In a delightful announcement, the University of Brighton has honoured NHS England's Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, David Webb with its prestigious Doctor
of Science honorary degree
Webb's award is a highlight of the university's graduation ceremony which celebrated the graduation of over 3,400 undergraduate and postgraduate students from 92
countries at the Brighton Centre this week.
The accolade recognises Webb's transformative work in the pharmacy services within the NHS, highlighting the profound impact his contributions have had on delivery
of healthcare across the UK.
Under Webb's leadership, significant advancements have been made in integrating pharmacy into NHS care pathways, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing the role
of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in the healthcare system.
Webb expressed his honour stating, "I am delighted to receive the honorary award of Doctor of Science from the University of Brighton in recognition of both my
contribution to pharmacy in the NHS"
While Northern Irish business groups has welcomed the certainty a new EU-UK deal on post-Brexit trade rules for the region provided, the pharmaceutical
industry too has expressed cautious optimism.
In his speech on the Windsor Framework on Monday (February 28) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the agreement "delivers a landmark settlement on medicines".
"From now on, drugs approved for use by the UK's medicines regulator will be automatically available in every pharmacy and hospital in Northern Ireland," he
announced.
The National Pharmacy Association's Northern Ireland manager Anne McAlister expressed a sense of cautious optimism.
She said: "While the devil may yet be in the detail, the Windsor Framework would appear to be good news for pharmacies in Northern Ireland. It seems to address
the main concerns we have expressed about medicines supplies to NI, but we want to examine the small print to ensure the new arrangements meet the needs of our
members and the patients they serve.
In an open letter to pharmacy colleagues, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) praised the work being done by them over this "extremely busy period."
Expressing gratitude towards pharmacists RPS said "Patients rely on you and we are so proud of the work you are doing."
It said the incredible work of pharmacists, in all settings, have ensured that patients have access to medicines and advice during the pandemic.
Calling pharmacists an integral part of the profession, RPS said they not only prescribe and advise the public, but also play a key role in teaching future pharmacists, developing new medicines, running and supporting clinical trials.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard joined over 17 million people in England by taking her Covid-19 booster dose on Monday (December 6) whilst encouraging people to take their top-up jab.
The NHS boss got a dose in each arm as she also received her flu vaccine from pharmacist Bhaveen Patel at the Junction Pharmacy in Brixton.
Pritchard later posted a video on Twitter, thanking the team in the south London community pharmacy.
Ahead of the first anniversary of the NHS delivering the first Covid-19 vaccine in the world on Wednesday (December 8), Pritchard thanked the "incredible efforts" of NHS staff and volunteers who worked hard to protect millions of people.
Almost 100 million jabs have been delivered in England since December 8, 2020, including over 17 million booster vaccines.
Expressing her delight after taking the booster dose, Pritchard said: "The booster jab was quick, easy and I now have extra protection against the virus."
The National Health Service (NHS) on Monday launched a new national campaign to find the 'missing millions' who could be living with undiagnosed high
blood pressure, often described as a 'silent killer'.
People are being warned that the condition rarely has any symptoms and it can lead to fatal heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease and vascular dementia, if
left untreated.
According to the NHS, high blood pressure affects an estimated 32 per cent of adults and approximately three in 10 of these remain undiagnosed, equating to
4.2 million people in England.
The NHS has expanded blood pressure checks in community pharmacies to include 2.5 million more tests as part of the Pharmacy First programme.
With the 'Get Your Blood Pressure Checked' campaign, the health service is encouraging those aged 40 years and over to get a free blood pressure test at a
participating pharmacy, for which they don't need to be booked in advance.
Health Minister Andrea Leadsom expressed confidence that this new drive will help to prevent the potentially "fatal consequences" of untreated high blood
pressure. She urged people to go to their local pharmacy to get their blood pressure checked, stating that it could be a "lifesaving trip."
The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has responded positively to the Labour Party's manifesto, which outlines plans to bolster community pharmacy
services and shift the NHS towards a more localized, prevention-focused model.
Key proposals include the creation of a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service and the enhancement of care delivery in local communities.
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the CCA, expressed strong support for these initiatives and said:
"We welcome the Labour Party Manifesto's clear focus on moving to a 'Neighbourhood Health Service', prevention, and the return of the 'family doctor'."
"Harnessing community pharmacy is crucial to delivering each of these," Harrison added.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has expressed its concerns over sustained pressures on medicines supply that are having a very
serious impact on community pharmacy teams and their patients.
It has asked contractors and their teams to continue using its regular reporting tools to help them demonstrate the scale of the problems to the Department of
Health and Social Care (DHSC) and to support escalations as needed.
The committee said: "The sustained increases in price concessions that we have seen so far in 2022 - with more than 100 concessions being granted in some months -
show no signs of abating, and we know that many pharmacies now find themselves in a critical situation trying to source medicines in timely manner and facing
significant financial risk due to greater uncertainty around expected reimbursement prices for a large number of medicines."
"We know that some concessions being imposed by the Department do not match contractors' experience on the ground, and we would ask all contractors to continue
reporting pricing issues to us on a regular basis to support our representations: Report product over Drug Tariff price."
Boots customers were left disappointed as the retail giant closed three more branches, two in Kent and one in Glasgow.
On Sunday 21 January, Boots' branches in Cliftonville and Biggin Hill were closed, forcing locals to find an alternative pharmacy, Express.co.uk reported.
Cliftonville residents have taken to social media to express their disappointment over the closure of their local pharmacy on Northdown Road.
Even though there is another Boots branch in Margate, they said that Cliftonville branch is "much more accessible, with parking available right outside, on
the bus route and surrounded by a residential area within easy walking distance."
One resident has branded the retailer's decision as "crazy", as per the news portal.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC)'s North-East and Cumbria regional representative, Mark Burdon, has resigned from his role. The Committee has invited all eligible independent contractors to fulfil the post.
The new regional representative will be asked to hold the position until the end of the current term for all Regional Representatives which is now March 31, 2023.
"A representative of independent contractors in the following Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) areas will be sought: · Community Pharmacy County Durham ·
Community Pharmacy Cumbria · Gateshead & South Tyneside LPC · North of Tyne LPC · Sunderland LPC · Tees LPC," said PSNC.
Eligible independent contractors from these LPC areas are invited to express their interest in the role and then, if an election is triggered, to vote to select their new regional representative in due course - PSNC will issue a full briefing on this process.
Further information, including details about the role of regional representative, the election process, actions required for those seeking to stand for election and timescales, will be shared by the committee with the relevant LPCs and contractors in due course.
Alex Potter is the new Managing Director of PharmAssist Solutions UK, an online purchasing solution utilised by over 1,100 community pharmacies. Potter,
previously the Director of Digital at Phoenix UK, will succeed the current MD, Amar Randhawa, and has expertise in the digital landscape across the industry,
PharmAssist Solutions said in a statement.
"We are delighted to have Alex on board," said Stuart Lucas, Chair of the PharmAssist Board. "His profound grasp of the pharmacy sector, combined with his
expertise in digital innovation, will spearhead PharmAssist's evolution to meet the dynamic demands of its clientele."
Meanwhile, Lucas expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Amar for his hard work and dedication over the last decade. "Amar, as the founder of PharmAssist,
played a pivotal role in achieving numerous significant milestones and driving its growth," he added. "We wish him every success in his future endeavors."
Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) members working for Boots have raised concerns over possible reduction in their pay following the multiple's proposed changes to some pharmacies' opening hours.
Member pharmacists have expressed concerns as "despite verbal assurances that the company aim to minimise pharmacist job losses, they are being told that proposed changes will reduce their income if they remain with the company," PDA has stated.
PDA added that several pharmacists have been told that the proposed reduction to their hours will be more than 10 per cent, which could result in reduction in pay every month.
Salary cuts could render future employment unsuitable and might force pharmacists to leave the company with redundancy, the association said.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has appointed Paul Rees MBE as its new Chief Executive, with his role commencing on November 27th. Rees, currently
serving as the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and having held various roles throughout his career, will succeed Mark Lyonette, who is
retiring, NPA said in a statement.
"We anticipate Paul joining the NPA after a thorough recruitment process affirmed his suitability," said Nick Kaye, Chair of NPA. "Throughout his career, including
his role at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, he has made a significant impact and achieved concrete changes in healthcare and society. I would also like to
express my appreciation to Mark for his work as Chief Executive since 2018. He still has important tasks to complete at the NPA before his retirement."
Rees has also held key positions at prominent organisations, including the Ramblers Association, National Housing Federation, Charities Aid Foundation, Association
of University Teachers, and the , besides being the Head of Communications at the Home Office.
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.
The Pharmacists Defence Association (PDA) has expressed its keenness to work with the NHS nationally and at the ICB level to discuss how the pharmacist
workforce can most effectively be part of the multidisciplinary team, after the publication of Long-awaited NHS England workforce plan.
Welcoming its publication Alison Jones, PDA Director of Policy said: "It gives greater clarity around the future direction and strategy for professional development,
training, and opportunities for those currently working in the health service or considering their future career. There is a strong emphasis on further development
of the clinical role of pharmacists to support better patient care.
"However, this is a plan that will take years, indeed decades to come to fruition and its success will need to be underpinned by significant funding for its entire
life course.
Workplace pressures, reductions in support staff, and a lack of protected learning time are matters of immediate concern for many PDA members, issues which are
regularly highlighted through activities, such as the safer pharmacies survey.
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Boots UK's parent company, has appointed Tim Wentforth as its new CEO, effective on 23 October.
He joined WBA at a pivotal time when the company plans to downsize the business while driving execution and creating greater value for employees, patients,
customers and shareholders.
Wentforth replaced Rosalind Brewer, who stepped down on 1 September, after two years at the helm.
He joined from Evernorth, Cigna's health services organisation based in Connecticut, where he served as its founding CEO.
Prior to Cigna, he also held top roles in companies including specialty pharmacy company Accredo and pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts.
Shabbir Jafferali, owner of Wilmshurst Pharmacy in Lancing, is one of 28 remarkable individuals who will be recognised with the prestigious British Citizen
Award (BCA) at the Palace of Westminster on Thursday, January 18.
The BCA, in partnership with One Stop, recognises exceptional people around the UK who are making a difference in their communities.
Sussex Express, which first broke the news, stated that Shabbir has been working as a community pharmacist for over 40 years, providing not only health care, but a
listening ear and selfless community care.
He treats everyone who use his pharmacy with sensitivity and care, and takes the time to know the names and ailments of his customers as well as their personal
circumstances.
Benjamin Hannan, director of reform and transformation at NHS Fife, has been honoured with the prestigious title of Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
(RPS), marking a significant milestone in his career.
Hailing from Falkirk, Hannan is the youngest Scottish Fellow in the society's history, a testament to his exceptional contributions to the field of pharmacy.
The fellowship, a distinction bestowed upon members who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in advancing pharmaceutical knowledge or have shown exceptional
distinction in pharmacy science, practice, profession, or history, is a recognition of Hannan's dedication and expertise in the field.
Expressing his gratitude, Hannan told The Faulkner Herlad, "I am delighted and humbled to have been made a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society."
Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has expressed its support for alterations in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 to enable original pack dispensing (OPD) and supply of medicines containing sodium valproate by pharmacists.
PSNC's support for changes was in response to the consultation on OPD, initiated by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
The consultation had proposed regulatory changes to allow pharmacists to dispense (up to 10 per cent) more or less than the prescribed quantity of a given medicine in the manufacturer's original packs.
Key aims of the proposal are to "support increased patient safety by ensuring patients receive the necessary information that is included in the original manufacturer's packaging about the safe and effective use of a product," DHSC said.
