National Pharmacy Association (NPA) urged the NHS England to make local impact assessment a key requirement prior to any recruitment into Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), to help tackle workforce crisis.
With inputs from LPCs, PCNs and CCGs should consider the impact of the creation of new roles on all health care providers in the area and on their ability to deliver their objectives on behalf of the NHS, it said.
The NPA believes that creation of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) programme is impacting community pharmacy services in some areas and contributing to the ongoing workforce shortage.
In a letter addressed to Ed Waller, director of Primary Care for NHS England, NPA chief executive Mark Lyonette highlighted the challenges emerged following a shortage of pharmacists and other members of staff.
Baby teeth could one day lead to the development of a much-needed tool for identifying children who are at risk for psychological problems, a study by the
University of Bristol has concluded.
The research has been published in the 'JAMA Network Open' - a monthly journal published by the American Medical Association.
The origin of this study traces back several years, when senior author Erin Dunn - a social and psychiatric epidemiologist and an investigator in MGH's Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit - learned about work in the field of anthropology that could help solve a longstanding problem in her own research.
She studies the effects of childhood adversity, which research suggested, is responsible for up to one-third of all mental health disorders.
Dunn is particularly interested in the timing of these adverse events and in uncovering whether there are sensitive periods during child development when exposure to adversity is particularly harmful.
After engaging with contractors and stakeholders of NHS Community Pharmacy, the pharmacy review steering group (RSG) is planning to put proposals to contractors' vote before Easter 2022.
The group, made up of representatives from the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, Company Chemists' Association and independent community pharmacy,
was formed in late 2020 to explore the future of community pharmacy network support.
After engagement with the sector, the RSG has defined the roles of the local and national representative bodies, considered the contractor decision-making process,
and worked through analysis and suggestions on local representation.
It is now focusing on national representation and support.
Workforce issues, staff retention and capacity continues to be a big concern for the Local Pharmaceutical Committee as it discussed the topics at a recent meeting with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC).
The meeting, attended by delegates from 66 LPCs, focused on the current challenges faced by community pharmacies as well as the planning for the next year.
Around 64 per cent of delegates said workforce was the top challenge faced by pharmacy contractors, and suggested reducing the migration of pharmacists to Primary Care Networks (PCNs).
Other suggestions included - "improving the development opportunities available for pharmacists and their teams, and rebranding the profession to make community pharmacy a more attractive route for young graduates."
On the development of Integrated Care Systems (ICS), the majority of respondents were positive about their LPC's engagement in the new setting.
After a series of internal pay negotiations and conciliation meetings, Boots has made a revised pay offer to its pharmacists.
With the new development, the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has urged its members at Boots to "urgently respond to the Boots pay negotiations update survey on the current pay offer."
It encouraged the members to complete the short survey sent to them via email.
Last week, the PDA Reps Network in Boots hosted a series of virtual meetings for members that work at the company.
As the element of the negotiations with Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) are ongoing, PDA could not provide more details about these meetings.
The Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs) has rebranded to be known as Community Pharmacy to present a strengthened and unified identity to the
local NHS, local government and other stakeholders, as the local voice of community pharmacy.
"There are now 58 LPCs in England. The number of LPCs has reduced from 69, with further consolidation expected by April 2024 to a network of 48 local organisations,"
said Community Pharmacy England.
"The changes mean there will be better alignment between LPCs and the 42 NHS Integrated Care Systems in England, who have taken on the responsibility for
commissioning pharmaceutical services delegated by NHS England."
"This marks a significant milestone, as similar to Community Pharmacy England, LPCs have been undergoing changes to respond to the Review Steering Group (RSG)
recommendations on pharmacy representation. The sector voted in favour of the RSG proposals in the summer of 2022, and since then progress has been made on many
of the changes at both local and national level as part of the Transforming Pharmacy Representation (TAPR) Programme."
Centre for Pharmacy PostGraduate Education (CPPE) has announced the launch of a new learning programme, Preparing to train as an independent prescriber.
The programme aims to build the confidence and competence of pharmacists who are planning to apply and train as independent prescribers and is open to pharmacists
from all sectors of practice, including community pharmacists who are planning to commence their independent prescriber training with a Higher Education Institute
(HEI).
The course is made up of four main components, including a self-directed e-course and self-assessment framework, a mandatory online workshop to support you to review
your self-assessment of competencies, an optional online workshop to support your readiness for academic writing and reflective practice, and optional peer support
sessions, providing the opportunity for you to develop your professional network and establish communities of practice.
Following discussions with Community Pharmacy Scotland, the Scottish government has agreed to a six per cent rise in the global fund allocation for community
pharmacies in 2023-24, bringing the total remuneration to approximately £219.5 million.
A finalised agreement has been reached with Community Pharmacy Scotland for a one-year funding package for the financial year 2023-24, as stated in a Scottish
government circular distributed to community pharmacy contractors and NHS Boards on August 4.
The circular said this settlement will lead to the most substantial increment ever approved for the community pharmacy network.
"The global sum remuneration will be £219.533 million, signifying a 6 per cent increase from the previous year and setting the groundwork for 2024/25," stated
Professor Alison Strath, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for Scotland, in the document. "The guaranteed income from the drug tariff will remain at £80 million for
the financial year, without yearly changes."
Pharmacy Business will be hosting their annual awards event in the pharmacy calendar with a glittering ceremony to celebrate the very best of community pharmacy.
The 23rd edition of the Pharmacy Business Awards will be on Wednesday 4 October 2023 in central London.
The awards attract the biggest names in pharmacy, with heads of pharmacy organisations, CEOs of leading manufacturers and wholesalers, health officials and
government ministers in attendance.
We look forward to bringing together the shining lights of community pharmacy, who show the nation the unique services they continue to provide.
REASONS TO ATTEND
Understand what the ambitions of the NHS and PSNC are for the future of community pharmacy
Understand why its important to develop a wider range of health services
Learn how others are achieving this and what the benefits can be
Learn what the benefits of embracing technological innovations are
Hear what others are doing and what the benefits are to their business
Network with and learn from your peers in community pharmacy
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Pharmacy owners
Pharmacy managers
Other pharmacy stakeholders
Exciting news! Pharmacy Business Awards 2023 are just around the corner!
The pharmacy bodies have welcomed Health Select Committee's inquiry into pharmacy services and are calling the community pharmacies to engage fully.
On Thursday (8 June), MPs launched a new inquiry to examine the 'readiness of pharmacy services'. At the end of the inquiry, the committee will be making
recommendations to the government on what action needs to be taken to ensure the potential of pharmacy is realised. It is currently seeking views and evidence
from anyone who can answer any or some of the questions listed here by Thursday 6 July.
National Pharmacy Association (NPA), Company Chemists' Association (CCA) and Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) have confirmed that they will be submitting the
written evidence.
RPS said it will be submitting written evidence, and if they are called to give oral evidence they'll do so.
Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the CCA commented: "We welcome the Health Committee's much-awaited inquiry into pharmacy. Whilst the recent announcement of
investment into the sector is welcome, this is new money for new activity. The historic underfunding of community pharmacy remains, and Primary Care Networks
(PCNs) continue to directly recruit community pharmacists.
The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has published a 'pharmacy paradox paper' which outlines how community pharmacy can match the ambition amidst the
workforce crisis.
The sector is experiencing a workforce crisis, exacerbated by NHS recruitment of community pharmacists into primary care networks. Pharmacies are also facing a
significant increase in demand on services.
CCA said, "A stretched and reduced pharmacy workforce is having to deliver more and more. This is unsustainable."
"Unless the tension between ambition and capacity is addressed, there is a risk that community pharmacies will not only not meet their potential, but the existing
offer could be compromised."
Therefore, the association has set out solutions to resolve the current paradox between ambition and reality.
Instability in the supply chain network is frequently undermining the profit margins in community pharmacies, former Pharmacy Minister and Chair of the Health
and Social Care Committee Steve Brine has said.
Brine emphasised that community pharmacies often lack information about the prices wholesalers charge for essential generic medications. "They lack visibility
into scarcity, and the pricing of these products is often significantly higher compared to other European countries," the former minister remarked during a
parliamentary debate focused on the future of community pharmacies on September 14.
From financial pressures to workforce crisis and pharmacy closures, the debate delved into critical challenges faced by pharmacies, aiming to propose tangible
solutions for a sustainable future in the sector.
Chaired by Sir Mark Hendrik, the debate was initiated by Conservative MP Peter Aldous and featured contributions from a host of participants including Labour MPs
Taiwo Owatemi and George Howarth among others.
Digestive issues such as constipation, dysphagia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be precursors of Parkinson's disease, according to research published
in the journal Gut.
Gastrointestinal symptoms are thought to precede the development of some cerebrovascular disease, including brain aneurysm or Alzheimer's disease, and it has been
suggested (Braak's hypothesis) that gut conditions may precede the development of Parkinson's disease too.
To test this hypothesis, researchers used data from a US nationwide medical record network (TriNetX) to compare 24,624 people who had been diagnosed with
Parkinson's disease of unknown cause with those who had been diagnosed with other neurological conditions - Alzheimer's disease (19,046) or cerebrovascular
disease (23,942) - or with none of these (24,624; comparison group).
Trade bodies have reiterated the call for more funding in response to the reports that ministers are considering a Pharmacy First scheme amid the NHS strike.
The Sunday Telegraph reported that pharmacies could be drafted in to help the NHS to cope when other healthcare workers take industrial action.
But, a PSNC committee member has warned on Monday that the government suggestions are "categorically impossible" without extra funding.
The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has echoed the sentiment, saying pharmacy network is on the brink of collapse.
"We welcome plans for a Pharmacy First scheme in England. However, after eight years of funding cuts, the pressures on community pharmacies are simply untenable,"
Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the CCA, said.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Pharmacy published a new report on Monday (January 23) that calls for "urgent action" to relieve funding pressure
so there are "opportunities" for community pharmacy teams to deliver even more for their patients.
The report highlights the need for a new "strategic vision" for pharmacy and highlights opportunities for the network to be empowered to deliver even more for
patients.
However, the manifesto also underlines that there are the very real risks that this opportunity may be lost if significant and ongoing pressures are not addressed.
The recommendations are based on written and oral evidence gathered from frontline pharmacists, GPs, professional bodies and healthcare experts.
To harness the potential of pharmacy, the report recommends the Government must take urgent action to relieve the funding pressures on the community pharmacy sector
in the short term and review the long-term funding model for pharmacy.
It also suggested the Government must harness the power of pharmacy to help the NHS deal with the COVID-19 backlog and the UK's growing healthcare challenges.
It further recommended that future commissioning and funding must recognise that community pharmacy is the front door to the NHS for many patients.
Perrigo, one of the world's largest providers of self-care products has appointed Ronald van Workum as Sales Director Germany, Customer Strategy & Implementation
DACH Cluster.
van Workum will continue to drive the successful integration of HRA Pharma into the Perrigo network, with a focus on well-known brands such as Abtei, Compeed and
Granu Fink.
He most recently held the position of Head of Key Account Management for Perrigo in Europe, based in the Netherlands. Prior to joining Perrigo he worked for Procter
& Gamble in several countries, including Singapore, and in various functions, including: Market Strategy Planning Manager for the Gillette brand; and in Europe as
multifunctional Team Leader Emerging Channels.
The company also announced Tobias Geiger has been promoted from his role as Finance Director of the Perrigo DACH Cluster, which he held since April 2020, to General
Manager of the Perrigo DACH Cluster. During this time, he successfully supported the implementation and stabilisation of the DACH cluster. He also led several
business optimisations with his teams, such as the implementation of SAP in Switzerland, process digitalisation and the creation of a DACH Finance Business Partner
Model. Before joining Perrigo, Geiger worked for Sanofi for more than 10 years in various leadership positions in DACH and in Latin America.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said last week (Aug 5) there were "early signs" that the monkeypox outbreak was plateauing across the country and that
its expansion had slowed.
"While the most recent data suggests the growth of the outbreak has slowed, we cannot be complacent," Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections
at UKHSA, said.
There were 2,859 confirmed and highly probable cases of monkeypox in the UK as of Aug. 4, with nearly 99 per cent of the cases among men, the country's health
authority said in a statement.
The recent analysis by the UKHSA showed that "monkeypox continues to be transmitted primarily in interconnected sexual networks of gay, bisexual, or other men who
have sex with men", it added.
British authorities in June were recommending gay and bisexual men at higher risk of exposure to monkeypox be offered a vaccine, as the outbreak of the viral disease
had gathered pace, mostly in Europe.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) has appointed Robbie Turner as chief transformation officer, to work closely with LPCs as part of its
newly launched Transforming Pharmacy Representation (TAPR) programme.
PSNC launched the TAPR Programme in response to the contractor vote in favour of the Review Steering Group's proposals. As part of the programme - alongside
actioning the recommendations for PSNC - there will be support for LPCs to implement their proposals.
Williams will be responsible for leading, driving, and having oversight of the TAPR workstream to increase efficiency and outcomes across the network of LPCs in
England.
This will include the provision of specialist hands-on guidance and support to LPC members and officers, to promote implementation of the RSG proposals, best
practice and challenging the status quo.
Williams was formerly chief officer of Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire LPC and subsequently Director for England and Director of Pharmacy and Member Experience
at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
When it comes time to choose a Medicare plan, it can be difficult to know where to start. There are so many factors to consider, from the cost of coverage to
the quality of care you'll receive. How do you know which plan is right for you? This article will discuss some of the most important things to keep in mind when
choosing a Medicare plan. It will cover everything from drug coverage to hospital and doctor networks.
By the end of this article, you'll be able to confidently choose the right Medicare plan for your needs!
COST
Of course, for most of us, the cost of our healthcare is a major consideration. When you're choosing a Medicare plan, you'll want to make sure that you're getting
good value for your money. Be sure to compare the monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments of each plan you're considering. You may also want to look at the
total annual out-of-pocket costs for each plan. This will give you a good idea of how much your healthcare will actually cost you on a yearly basis. If you plan
to be using Medicare for insurance, it's important to do your research before enrolling. This way, you can be sure that you're getting the best possible coverage
for your needs and budget.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has revealed it has received 25 whistleblowing disclosures between April 2021 and March 2022.
The pharmacy regulator said, in its annual report, that it has concluded enquiries on 22 disclosures so far with a further three still under review.
"We also concluded two qualifying disclosures that were raised during the previous reporting period," it said, adding: "The action GPhC took included a full
investigation through established fitness to practise processes and follow-up action through its inspection network.
"The former can result in any available outcome throughout the fitness to practise process. The latter can include guidance, a follow-up visit or an unexpected
inspection."
12 concerns were investigated and concluded with no further action. Three were signposted to another organisation. The remaining seven cases were concluded by
sharing information with inspection colleagues for follow up action.
Of the two concerns from the previous reporting period, one was concluded with no further action and the other remains under investigation.
