The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) announced on Monday (November 22) that it would integrate NHS Digital, NHSX and Health Education England into NHS England and Improvement (NHSE&I) as part of major workforce planning and technology reforms.
The merger is part of the government's long-term strategy for the recruitment, training and retention of healthcare staff coupled with a digital transformation of
working practices.
The overhaul is based on recommendations made by NHS Digital chair Laura Wade-Gery who led a government-commissioned review to improve patient care, centralise the NHS workforce and accelerate digital delivery.
Commenting on her recommendations, Wade-Gery, said: "In the rest of our lives, digital has really changed how we live and we must now make this true in healthcare.
The goal of my review is to equip the national centre with the right capability to support Integrated Care Systems to deliver better citizen health. We need to have
the culture, operating model, skills, capabilities and processes to put data, digital and technology at the heart of how we transform health services."
In a groundbreaking move towards modernising healthcare, England's National Health Service (NHS) has successfully implemented digital prescriptions,
as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its latest regional digital health report.
Since January 2024, patients across England have had access to their prescription information through the NHS App, marking a significant leap in healthcare
accessibility and efficiency.
With over 33 million registered users, representing 75 per cent of the adult population, the NHS App has become a vital tool in managing healthcare online.
The introduction of digital prescriptions allows users to order repeat prescriptions online without the need for a GP visit.
This innovation has witnessed a surge in digital requests, with over 3.1 million repeat prescriptions processed monthly.
The new 'How to Involve and Engage Patients on Digital Health Tech Innovation' learning module has been created specifically to support the development and
delivery of patient-centric technologies, at a time of critical digital transformation in the NHS.
The foundation level module will be freely available at www.orcha-digitalhealthacademy.com and on the Health Education England NHS Learning Hub (learninghub.nhs.uk).
No training previously exists on conducting effective patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE), leading to wasted resource on unsuitable technologies
at a time when the healthcare system simply cannot afford it. The module aims to educate innovators who are creating new technology, and the clinicians who are
prescribing these solutions. Crucially, the module also provides valuable support to the 500 NHS clinicians who are on the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme.
The module is an introduction to the first evidence-based framework for PPIE, launched by the University of Plymouth, the AHSN Network (the national voice of the
15 academic health science networks in England) and Boehringer Ingelheim UK & Ireland. It helps to fast-track learning for the EnACT principles described in the
framework, outlining how to involve patients in product innovation and critical issues such as data privacy, intellectual property, inclusivity, reimbursement,
useability, and recruitment of patients.
After I have finished playing some casino games, using my, Juicy Stakes Casino bonuses, I am hungry. What should I eat? A juicy steak (wink, wink)? Fried
chicken? An Ingestible Pill? Wait, what? What is an ingestible pill? Is that a food or vitamin? Actually, it is neither.
It is new technology developed by Pfizer. Pfizer is the pharmaceutical company that gave us the COVID vaccines that do not provide lifetime immunity to COVID or
even prevent you from getting it in the short term. Pfizer is also the company that created the COVID medicine Paxlovid, which cause Biden to get a rebound COVID
right after he supposedly recovered from COVID.
Ingestible Pills are a version of a digital pill
A digital pill is also known as a smart pill or an ingestible sensor. It is a pharmaceutical dosage form that contains an ingestible sensor inside of a pill. The
sensor begins transmitting medical data after it is consumed.
This pill and its other related technology are considered Digital Medicine. The purpose of the sensor is to determine if a person is taking their medicine or they
are not taking their medicine. In other words, is the patient complying with taking their medicine or are they not complying with taking their medicine?
Digital transformation is sweeping across the healthcare landscape. Fuelled by ambitious government policy, exciting innovation and huge injections of funding,
it's hard for anyone in the sector not to catch a dose of digitisation fever.
But digitisation is not a universal tonic, and it certainly isn't always a 'good thing'. In fact, there's a real danger to digitising healthcare. Such a fundamental
change to the very nature of care delivery is an inevitably high-risk process: sometimes things or people get forgotten, vital processes stall, or new systems fail
to replicate the strengths of those they replace. Take, for instance, the digitisation of pharmacies.
Over recent years, the public's use of online-only pharmacies have boomed: in March it was reported that the number of items dispensed from distance-selling
pharmacies in England, UK quadrupled between 2016 and 2021.
These online providers offer an attractively convenient way for patients to receive their medicines; replacing a trip to a high street pharmacy with a package
delivered straight to their door. On the surface, this digital solution seems perfect not only for young patients with busy schedules, but also for older patients
or for those with restricted mobility who may struggle with in-person collection.
The Digital Medicines Transformation Portfolio (DMTP) was able to deliver the electronic prescription service (EPS) in Wales - just 20 months after
starting the project - with support from key partners in the NHS and industry.
Patients in Rhyl were the first to benefit from the new service, which allows GPs to send prescriptions electronically to the patient's choice of community
pharmacy, without the need for a paper form.
The new EPS service is currently in a live testing phase, with a phased roll out across Wales expected from January 2024.
DMTP, which is hosted by Digital Health and Care Wales (DHCW) has worked closely with NHS England, who provided the core EPS platform that has been developed
for use in Wales. NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership has also made a major contribution in the project, incorporating digital reimbursement to pharmacies
and putting security measures in place.
To lead the way in modernizing the UK's healthcare, the National Health Service (NHS) digitized the prescriptions. WHO mentioned this in their current
digital regional report. Since January 2024, the NHS App in England has offered patients the opportunity to see statistics about their prescriptions.
This represents a gigantic step in the area of healthcare which can be categorized as another stage in healthcare accessibility and efficiency. Over 33 million
residents have taken the NHS app enabling the users to be 75% of the adult population. The app helps in online management of their health. The use of digital
prescriptions enables patients to order repeated prescriptions online, in which they would past getting an appointment a GP.
Digital technology has radically transformed our world - smart phones, tablets, and web-enabled devices have changed our daily lives and the way we interact. Digital technology is also transforming healthcare because healthcare is an information-rich industry. Information is present in the form of past medical history, vital signs, progress notes, medications, allergies, lab data and imaging reports as well as other relevant information, such as insurance information and even data imported from personal wellness devices.
Electronic records make information instantly available to authorized providers across practices and health institutions, helping in clinical decisions and coordinate care. It is not difficult to determine the direction that EHRs in the US will take over the next several years. A prominent and far more seamless flow of processed data within a digital healthcare infrastructure which is created by electronic medical records incorporates and leverages digital progress and can transform the way care is delivered and compensated. As EHR becomes more mobile-friendly, it will make the information easily accessible, and this trend will blast the healthcare industry forward.
In a rapidly evolving and competitive landscape, the pharmaceutical industry faces unique challenges when it comes to marketing its products and services.
With stringent regulations, complex target audiences, and a need for trust and credibility, pharma companies need to employ effective marketing strategies to stand
out in the crowd. In this blog article, we will explore some key marketing strategies for the pharma industry that can help boost their visibility, engage their
target audience, and drive business growth.
UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE LANDSCAPE
The pharma industry operates in a highly regulated environment, where compliance and ethical considerations play a crucial role. Before diving into marketing
strategies, it is essential to have a deep understanding of the industry's dynamics and the target audience. Researching the market, identifying patient needs,
and studying the competitive landscape are vital steps in developing an effective marketing plan.
EMBRACING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Digital transformation has revolutionized marketing across industries, and the pharma sector is no exception. Embracing digital channels and technologies can
significantly enhance the reach and impact of marketing efforts. Pharma companies can leverage social media platforms, create engaging content, and build online
communities to connect with patients, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders. Implementing robust digital marketing strategies allows for personalized
messaging, real-time communication, and targeted campaigns that resonate with the target audience.
It's time for pharmacists to get their technology forecasting hats on and be selective in choosing digital technologies, commented Prof James Woudhuysen, of
London South Bank University, at the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) Conference, Pharmacy Odyssey, held on Thursday (13 October).
In a session on 'Healthcare in tomorrow's digital environment', hosted by Fergus Walsh, Prof Woudhuysen opined that digitisation has its merit, but it's quite tricky,
and slower than we imagine.
"Mechanisation has a digital component that we can look to as a way out of the gloom of the moment. And in dispensing, labelling, prescribing, and many other features
of the conventional retail pharmacist, there's a lot that could be done for productivity and automation," he said.
Replying to a question on 'where are we at the digital front now and where can it go', Woudhuysen replied: "It's taken 20 years for the electronic prescription. It
was Tony Blair, who wanted every prescription electronic. The mishaps on repeat prescriptions and all the rest of it are still quite intense. So, we need to remember
that electronics is only as clever as software and then human input into it. There're still many mistakes.
Well Pharmacy has introduced a digital e-voucher platform for its corporate flu vaccination scheme. This platform simplifies the process of distributing flu
vouchers to colleagues via email, employing individual flu voucher codes for each recipient, the company said in a statement.
"Flu can disrupt business operations, especially during the bustling pre-Christmas period," said George Sandhu, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist at Well Pharmacy.
"Opting for staff flu jabs is a cost-effective means of safeguarding your business, employees, and their families. Our goal is to ensure a seamless setup,
effortless administration, and convenient access to flu jabs for your colleagues, fitting into their schedules smoothly."
According to the statement, Well Pharmacy's digital e-voucher platform offers effortless accessibility and various benefits, including swift email sharing,
transparent upfront pricing and invoicing, and convenient tracking of voucher usage. Businesses can also track the utilisation and remaining availability of
vouchers.
"Just determine the desired number of vouchers and complete the order form," Sandhu added. "We'll provide a pre-filled agreement for your signature and return,
along with an invoice. After setup, you'll receive a voucher code to distribute among your staff, along with promotional posters. They can access our website to
obtain the necessary code for scheduling their vaccinations."
Charac, an NHS-integrated one-stop platform for independent community pharmacies, and Positive Solutions, the fastest growing pharmacy IT provider in the UK,
have agreed on a collaboration to support community pharmacies through new integrated technology platform - MyHealthHub.
The tech platform aims to give pharmacies a powerful and compelling tool to both help retain and attract new patients. The app will also allow the over 7,200
independent high street pharmacies which are lacking a digital footprint to compete with larger online pharmacies by providing them with an online presence.
The long-term strategic partnership brings together Charac's innovative approach to patient relationship management and Positive Solutions trusted expertise in
digital solutions for pharmacy.
With Positive Solutions' Analyst PMR used daily by 16,000 pharmacy team members to process over 87 million scripts and 180 million items, the collaboration will
help transform patient engagement and continue driving service business to pharmacies across the UK using a new innovative, integrative technology platform,
MyHealthHub.
MyHealthHub will not only integrate with Analyst PMR, but also forms part of an entire new technology ecosystem from Positive Solutions, the Hx platform and will
be entirely interoperable.
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."
Community pharmacists in England have launched a new digital platform called My Local Surgery, enabling patients to access Pharmacy First consultations online.
This initiative, a part of the NHS Pharmacy First scheme, facilitates free video consultations for six common conditions, connecting patients with community
pharmacists for clinical advice and treatment.
The platform, spearheaded by a team of pharmacy, tech, and clinical services experts, including experienced community pharmacists Darren Lingaloo and Gulraj
Dhillon, tech specialist Nav Ramiah, and Dr. Adam Kirk, a seasoned NHS and digital healthcare professional, seeks to meet the rising demand for clinical services.
Darren Lingaloo, co-founder and chief pharmacist at My Local Surgery, said: "The evolving role of pharmacists is long overdue and has the potential to save
millions of GP appointments every year.
Jhoots Group, a West Midlands based independent community pharmacy chain, has unveiled plans to expand its digital services after securing a funding worth
£8.23m from HSBC bank.
The new money will allow the groups branches to offer a digital platform for customers to request prescriptions online, enabling the implementation of a hub and
spoke dispensing system to automate prescription deliveries.
The innovation aims to reduce the burden of manual processes on pharmacists, allowing staff to use their time efficiently and support the NHS by offering vaccines
and minor ailment medicine services.
San Jhooty, chief operating officer at Jhoots Group, said: "When faced with the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, primary and community services came
together to support the community and each other.
To help the pharmacists understand the Serious Shortage Protocols (SSPs) for three Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) products that was recently announced by
the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)'s, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has shared top tips on the correct SSP endorsement and
submission requirements.
Top Tips by PSNC for pharmacists on HRT SSPs:
Always double check that endorsements reflect the requirements outlined in the supporting guidance published for each SSP on the dedicated page of the NHSBSA's
website.
When endorsing using EPS, contractors are reminded to select the SSP endorsement and input the correct three-digit reference number leaving a space in between 'SSP'
and the three-digit reference number for example, SSP 019. Remember to insert the leading zero in the three digit reference number.
Each of the affected HRT medicines has its own SSP reference number. Check that the correct SSP number is endorsed for e.g. for Oestrogel® Pump-Pack 0.06% gel the
SSP endorsement should be 'SSP 019'. Please note the 'NCSO' endorsement is no longer accepted for SSPs.
Endorse the SSP product dispensed including the quantity. Ensure your endorsements are accurate and clear - NHSBSA processing staff must be able to determine what
has been supplied. Contractors should note that SSP claims submitted using EPS tokens are no longer permitted.
Growing up with a family that worked in pharmacy, our dinner time conversation was not like that of other families. Ours would centre around medicines,
prescriptions, and the health challenges within our local community.
I quickly came to understand the importance of the role played by community pharmacists. So I can't help but be concerned that the current direction being taken by
digital health innovation threatens to leave community pharmacies behind.
Whilst it is brilliant that patients can easily access their prescriptions through the rise of online pharmacies, many of these cut out the vital knowledge and
expertise of local community pharmacists, and threaten to end the traditional close ties between local community pharmacists and their patients.
Nine out of 10 NHS users believe that pharmacists play an unrivalled role when it comes to keeping patients in the community safe. We must ensure that digital health
does not replace this important source of advice for health problems and injuries, but instead preserves and enhances this vital, personal role and enables
pharmacists to continue delivering care in new and effective ways.
A vital connection with patients
Community pharmacies provide crucial support to local patients with managing their medicines safely, particularly older and more vulnerable people. The specific
expertise and knowledge held by pharmacists can help inform the long-term management of a patient's condition and ensure they are kept safe from potential side
effects and complications.
Boots has expanded its partnership with Deliveroo to cover 125 stores in the UK, offering delivery of a wide range of health and beauty products up and down
the country.
The company announced last year that it had entered into an exclusive partnership with Deliveroo to provide 400 plus health and beauty products to consumers at their
doorsteps.
The pharmacy multiple has been delivering over-the-counter cough, cold and flu symptom relief products, paracetamol, vitamins and digital thermometers through
Deliveroo.
The partnership has been part of the business' continued investment in digital technology to provide customers with a more convenient and personal shopping experience.
Popular and new products available on Deliveroo include cough, cold and flu symptom relief products, paracetamol, vitamins, digital thermometers, period and sexual
wellbeing products including sanitary towels, condoms and pregnancy tests among other health and beauty products.
Boots is now available via Deliveroo for the first time to customers in major cities including Manchester, Glasgow, Belfast, Bristol, Sheffield, Coventry, Plymouth,
Exeter, Middlesbrough, York, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Wales launched the new electronic prescribing service (EPS) last week, with the country's first electronic prescription sent and dispensed on 17 November.
The new service allows prescriptions to be sent digitally to a patient's nominated pharmacy, thus eliminating the need for paper forms.
It is part of a wider plan to introduce digital medicines and e-prescribing in all hospitals and primary care in the country.
Wellington Road Pharmacy and Lakeside Medical Centre in Rhyl became the first community pharmacy and GP practice to use the EPS, which is expected to be
rolled out across Wales in January 2024.
Acknowledging the ongoing challenges in delivering the required IT systems for the scheduled launch of the Pharmacy First service on January 31, NHS England
reported progress in fulfilling 'many' commitments outlined in its plan to enhance primary care access during a board meeting on Thursday.
However, it noted that the digital infrastructure supporting Pharmacy First, included in the £645 million fresh funding for community pharmacy, will require additional time for implementation.
"Delivery remains challenging due to changes needed in digital infrastructure, and we are working with suppliers to support January implementation," NHSE said.
"A public campaign is planned for 2024."
The Pharmacy First service allows pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines for seven common health conditions (sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected
insect bite, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women), eliminating the need for a GP visit.
Meanwhile, NHSE is leveraging the widespread accessibility of pharmacies by expanding blood pressure monitoring and introducing direct prescribing of clinically
safe oral contraceptives-an initiative that has been well-received.