Key Summary
- The NHS 10-year plan outlines an increased role for community pharmacies in the management of long-term conditions and the delivery of vaccinations
- Community pharmacies will be integrated into the Single Patient Record system which will be developed by the NHS
- NPA chief executive Henry Gregg observed that additional clinical responsibilities must be accompanied by contractual reform and sustainable funding
National Pharmacy Association chief executive Henry Gregg has said that Keir Starmer government's Neighbourhood Health Service provides a lot of opportunity for community pharmacy contractors, but cautioned that “the devil’s in the detail".
The NHS 10-year plan states that community pharmacies will have a vital role in the Neighbourhood Health Service by bringing health to the heart of the high street.
The plan outlines an increasing role for community pharmacies in the management of long-term conditions and delivery of vaccinations.
It also commits to modernisation of dispensing and working to integrate community pharmacy into the Single Patient Record system which will be developed by the NHS.
Gregg observed that neighbourhood care is in the DNA of pharmacies as they are located close to people’s homes.
“We must protect and cherish the vital link between patient and pharmacist as we embrace new technology and automation in dispensing," he added.
As per the plan, community pharmacies will support people to manage complex medication regimens, as well as providing treatment for obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
They will also play a bigger role in prevention through screening services and vaccine delivery, including providing a catch-up service for the HPV vaccination.
Gregg observed that additional clinical responsibilities must be accompanied by contractual reform and sustainable funding.
“Offering more clinical services, increasing the role of pharmacies in the management of long-term conditions, complex medication regimes, treating obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol will be vital to their sustainability as well as providing improved services to patients," he said.
Gregg also welcomed the government's move to securely join pharmacies into to the Single Patient Record. "This is something we have long been calling for," he said.
