Skip to content

This Site is Intended for Healthcare Professionals Only

Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

CCA lauds NHS investment in pharmacies; warns about sustainable funding, workforce shortages

Keith Ridge, who retired from the role of England’s chief pharmaceutical officer this month, has written to the NHS regional directors regarding a package to empower community pharmacies to implement clinical services in their integrated care systems.

Malcolm Harrison Hi Res website Malcolm Harrison, CEO, Company Chemists’ Association


Though details about this letter are not available, Malcolm Harrison, chief executive officer of the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), welcomed the move saying: “It is a positive step towards the greater integration of community pharmacy care into the NHS.

"It is vital for the NHS that patients can benefit from the clinical care services set out in the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework.”

Harrison, however, highlighted that while pharmacies are being pushed to do more, the efforts to introduce new clinical services should be supported with “sustainable funding and material actions to increase workforce numbers in the sector.”

“We are concerned that without the funding and people in place, the desired volume of necessary services cannot be delivered, no matter how well coordinated.”

He noted the new roles would enable building on local relationships with pharmacy professionals and recognize specific local needs, provided the workforce shortages and funding issues are addressed.

“However, unnecessary local variation to support national processes risks adding further barriers to implementation. A key responsibility of these new posts should be to share best practice across ICS organizations to support patients and systems that cross ICS boundaries.”

In October last year, it was decided that the pharmacy integration fund will pay for the community pharmacy integration lead roles for two years from 2022-2023.

More For You

Lynsey Cleland named GPhC chief standards officer

Lynsey Cleland

Pic credit: X

Lynsey Cleland named GPhC chief standards officer

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has brought back Lynsey Cleland to lead on a number of important departments in the role of chief standards officer.

Cleland had previously held a number of senior positions at GPhC, including director of Scotland.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pharma industry group unhappy with NHS drug pricing offer

The ABPI warned that £2 billion of potential investment could be under risk

Pic credit: istock

Pharma industry group unhappy with NHS drug pricing offer

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) has rejected the UK government’s offer to cut the cost of NHS drugs pricing scheme as it felt it was inadequate.

The industry group warned that £2 billion of potential investment could be under risk and wanted prime minister Keir Starmer to intervene, The Times reports.

Keep ReadingShow less
Day Lewis celebrates 50 years of delivering care to communities

The Patel family at the unveiling of the commemorative plaque ceremony

Day Lewis celebrates 50 years of delivering care to communities

Day Lewis honoured "the people, purpose and partnerships" as it celebrated 50 years of service by unveiling a commemorative plaque at the company’s support office in Croydon.

As one of the UK’s largest independent pharmacy chains, Day Lewis has delivered trusted care to communities across the country since it was founded in 1975, by brothers Kirit and JC Patel, who was on hand to unveil the plaque.

Keep ReadingShow less
CPE said the committee’s discussions are fully shaped by pharmacy owners’ views and experiences

CPE said the committee’s discussions are fully shaped by pharmacy owners’ views and experiences

Pic credit: iStock

Pharmacy owners asked to share views on new contract and its financial implications

Pharmacy owners can share their thoughts on service developments and their financial security before the upcoming Community Pharmacy England (CPE) committee meeting to be held on June 25 and 26.

The new Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) was completed in March with the various service and regulatory changes still in progress.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cancer treatment impact

There have been supply issues with Creon since the summer of 2024

Pic credit: iStock

Cancer patients struggle amid digestive drug shortage

Pharmacists in the Channel Islands have revealed that there is a shortage of a drug used to support digestion in cancer patients.

Creon is a pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT), which helps people living with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer to digest food.

Keep ReadingShow less