Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has urged pharmacy owners to maintain the safety of their services while managing the additional workload brought on
by the collective action of GP services, starting today (Thursday, 1 August).
General practices across England have begun implementing a work-to-rule strategy indefinitely, following a ballot of GP partners conducted by the British
Medical Association (BMA).
Under this approach, GP practices will strictly adhere to contracted hours and duties, performing only the tasks specified in their NHS contract.
With fewer GP appointments available, it is anticipated that more patients will turn to their community pharmacies for help and advice.
Therefore, CPE has stressed the importance of pharmacy owners maintaining the safety of their services, with a focus on the safe supply of medicines, during
this period of GP collective action.