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In its closing oral statement to the UK Covid Inquiry Module 3 on Wednesday (27 November), the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) urged the government and NHS to "recast community pharmacy in their minds as a valuable partner in the post-pandemic recovery, and not as a cost center." The Inquiry was also asked to recommend sufficient government investment in the network and infrastructure needed to integrate community pharmacy into the broader health system and support effective cooperation across the health service. Additionally, the NPA requested that the significant contribution of community pharmacy to the pandemic response be reflected in the Module 3 findings to "redress the lack of recognition they received throughout the pandemic." The NPA's closing statement addressed four key issues - the role of community pharmacy, the impact on pharmacy teams, the resilience of the pharmacy network, and the lack of recognition given to the sector during the pandemic and since. Lee John-Charles, speaking for the NPA, told the Inquiry that "Community pharmacy became the first port of call for patients seeking health advice during the pandemic." "Many community pharmacies went to great and heroic lengths to ensure that their services were maintained during the pandemic and demonstrated the value of the network of community pharmacies across the country."

Jonathan Rees, a member of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), will become the first pharmacist to present oral evidence at the UK Covid-19 Inquiry hearings tomorrow (Thursday, 10 October). During the pandemic, Jonathan worked at Penclawdd Pharmacy near Swansea, while also supporting the NPA's efforts to respond to the extra needs of its members across Wales during the peak of the crisis. Jonathan is expected to give evidence about the role and responsibilities of pharmacies during the pandemic, the impact of the pandemic on pharmacy services, working conditions and medicines supply, and the challenges faced in obtaining Personal Protective Equipment Equipment (PPE). Commenting on the significance of this milestone, NPA chief executive Paul Rees stated: "The NPA is proud to be telling the story of the vital role pharmacies played during the Covid pandemic, and ensuring that our members' voices are heard in this inquiry.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) presented key evidence to the UK COVID-19 Inquiry on 10 September, underscoring the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacy teams during the pandemic. Deirdre Domingo, legal representative for the RPS, delivered the statement during the Module 3 public hearings, which focus on the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems across the UK. As the professional body representing pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists in Great Britain, the RPS urged the Inquiry to consider several critical issues: Recognition of pharmacists as key workers The RPS highlighted the crucial role pharmacy teams played in ensuring continued access to essential medicines and their integral involvement in the roll-out of COVID-19 and flu vaccinations. However, the Society also raised concerns over significant failures and challenges, such as inadequate safety measures to protect pharmacists at work, confusing national guidance, increased hostility towards healthcare professionals, and a disparity in the treatment of community pharmacy compared to NHS staff.

Community pharmacies played a crucial role in the Covid-19 vaccination programme, delivering over 42 million Covid-19 vaccinations. Nevertheless, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) believes that there are valuable lessons to be learned to improve the health service's response to future crises. The association highlighted key areas for improvement in its oral statement during the public hearings for Module 4 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry-focusing on Vaccines and Therapeutics-on 15 January. Representing the NPA, legal representative Deirdre Domingo urged the Inquiry to consider the following points to optimise the delivery of future vaccination programmes. Effective planning and the involvement of community pharmacy from the outset Improving operational delivery of the vaccination booking system Addressing vaccine hesitancy and equality issues Utilising existing resources and expertise Reducing the unrealistic expectations on healthcare workers and managing the impact on them

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has published the first record from Every Story Matters, bringing together stories from 50,000 people who have shared their experiences of life during the pandemic. Every Story Matters - the largest public engagement exercise ever undertaken by a UK inquiry - has been traveling across the UK to hear from the public since October 2023. These anonymised stories will help produce a themed report, which will help the Chair, Baroness Hallett, to reach conclusions and make recommendations for the future. Ben Connah, Secretary to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, expressed his gratitude for the public's involvement, stating: "This is a remarkable milestone for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and I could not be more grateful to the public for your support and involvement." "This year we have travelled the length and breadth of the UK to listen to people's stories, from Enniskillen to Ipswich, from Oban to Southampton. "Every one of these stories matters and will go on to shape the Chair's recommendations for the future."