The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has said that Matt Hancock's self-isolation is unlikely to impede any of its ongoing negotiations with the government.
Responding to a question from Pharmacy Business, PSNC Chief Executive Simon Dukes thanked Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Health Secretary for their leadership in a time of crisis and wished both of them a speedy recovery.
Dukes said: "Whilst Health Secretary Matt Hancock has an important role to play in reaching agreement with PSNC on key issues affecting community pharmacy at this time, his contracting of coronavirus and subsequent self-isolation is not expected to inhibit his vital work.
"External factors such as civil servants' workloads and operational challenges are more of a risk, but we are working with Government to help minimise these where possible."
NPA praises Hancock's public tributes to pharmacy teams
In his response, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, Mark Lyonette, said: “We’re sorry to hear that Boris Johnson and the Health Secretary Matt Hancock are unwell, but we note their assurances that political leadership and decision-making won’t be impaired by this development.
"We thank Matt Hancock for his recent public tributes to pharmacy teams and wish both him and the Prime Minister a speedy recovery.”
Both Prime Minister Johnson and Health Secretary Hancock are currently in self-isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 today.
