Alastair Buxton outlines vision for Community Pharmacy at Westminster Health Forum

Alastair Buxton, Director of NHS Services at CPE, outlines critical issues and solutions at the Westminster Health Forum, urging sustainable support amidst sector struggles

In a stirring address at the recent conference on Pharmacy at the Westminster Health Forum, Director of NHS Services at Community Pharmacy England (CPE), Alastair Buxton presented a stark assessment of the community pharmacy sector's challenges.

Highlighting years of financial constraints imposed by the NHS and government, Buxton warned of a sector teetering on the edge of survival.

"There have been no years of financial and operational squeezes applied by the NHS and

government to the community pharmacy sector, so as a consequence, there are a lot of pharmacies that are on the on the brink of survival -battling for survival," he said.

Buxton underscored the critical and indispensable role of community pharmacies in delivering essential NHS services, from dispensing medications to innovative initiatives like the Discharge Medicine Service and Contraception Service.

Despite these, he lamented that many pharmacies are struggling to stay afloat amidst stagnant funding and escalating demands exacerbated by the pandemic.

Buxton detailed alarming statistics, revealing approximately ten pharmacy closures per week and a meager 5 per cent reporting profitability.

Attributing these closures to an overwhelming surge in demand for services and lack of workforce, Buxton pointed that pharmacists migrate to other healthcare sectors offering better remuneration.

Vision for community pharmacists

Yet amidst these challenges, Buxton remained resolute about the future of community pharmacies.

He outlined a collaborative initiative with the Nuffield Trust and the King's Fund to chart a path forward, emphasising preventive care, clinical services, and seamless integration into primary care.

This vision emphasises four key themes: preventing ill health, providing clinical care, supporting long-term condition management, and integrating pharmacy services into primary care.

"We commissioned this work to develop a vision that has input from a wide range of stakeholders, including pharmacy organisations, the NHS, and patient groups," Buxton said.

He stressed the importance of using the clinical skills within the pharmacy workforce and ensuring that pharmacies remain open and accessible.

Buxton also highlighted the significant role community pharmacies could play in public health initiatives and advocated for expanded vaccination services, substance use services, and weight management programs, aligning with NHS England's vaccination strategy.

"A smoking or nicotine cessation service would offer significant health and economic benefits," he added, pointing out that such services could prevent long-term health issues and reduce healthcare costs.

The integration of independent prescribing into community pharmacy was another critical aspect of Buxton's vision.

He noted that by 2026, all newly qualified pharmacists would be independent prescribers, significantly expanding the scope of services that pharmacies can offer.

"This will be a radical step change in how we use the skills of pharmacists," he said, advocating for collaboration with general practice to manage long-term conditions.

Buxton concluded his session by emphasising the need for a shared vision with the government and the NHS and called for a commitment to sustainable funding to support the ambitious plans for community pharmacy

"We can't build on services if pharmacies are not open," Buxton emphasised, rallying for sustainable funding and greater recognition of the clinical skills within pharmacy teams.

Buxton urged the government and NHS to forge a unified vision for community pharmacy, one that secures adequate funding to safeguard these vital healthcare providers.

The Westminster Health Forum policy conference brought together key stakeholders to discuss the future of pharmacy in England's healthcare landscape.

Addressing critical issues such as funding sustainability, digital innovation, and regulatory developments, speakers highlighted the vital role of community pharmacies in meeting escalating healthcare demands.