Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Give community pharmacists greater role in delivering flu jabs: think tank urges government

A think tank on the impact of longevity on society has urged the government to allow community pharmacists a greater role in delivering flu vaccinations so that access to the programme across the country is improved.

The International Longevity Centre-UK (ILC) called for the government to continue momentum from Covid-19 vaccination programme as winter flu season approaches.


Its new policy briefing published today (Sep 9), however, pointed out that inequalities in vaccination uptake remained prevalent across the country.

It said pretty much like flu vaccination, uptake of the Covid vaccine too had varied between regions of the UK – ranging from a high of 85 per cent in the Southwest of England to a low of 65.7 per cent in London.

Meanwhile, uptake of the Covid vaccine was 27 per cent lower among Black Caribbean populations compared to their White British counterparts.

To raise awareness of vaccines and their benefits as the NHS gears up for the impending winter flu season, ILC called for:

• The NHS to employ community champions, such as religious leaders, teachers and celebrities, to disseminate targeted immunisation messaging to marginalised groups.

• Healthcare workers to encourage individuals to get their flu vaccination during other routine appointments or even deliver them at these times, including at the same time as Covid vaccination top-ups – if proven to be safe and effective.

• All individuals to be granted access all their personal flu vaccination records via the NHS app as well as through an easy-to-access web-based portal.

Dr Lisa Cameron MP, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Health, said: “The Covid-19 vaccination programme has allowed the nation to tentatively recover from the worst global pandemic in our lifetimes but there is more to be done to address inequality in take up and misinformation so that the most robust response possible for all sectors of society is achieved".

More For You

Scottish community pharmacist working in high street pharmacy with supportive environment

The PDA wants investment to reach those who deliver services to patients every day

Pic credit: iStock

Funding boost in Scotland “needs to work for not just pharmacy owners but pharmacists too”, says PDA

An increase in funding for community pharmacies in Scotland needs to lead to a greater focus on supporting pharmacists rather than “simply sustain business models”, according to the Pharmacy Defence Association (PDA).

Earlier this week, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) accepted the Scottish government’s initial financial offer for the 2025/26 fiscal year, securing a guaranteed minimum reimbursement of £120 million for community pharmacies — up from £110 million from 2024/25.

Keep ReadingShow less
Aspire Pharma acquisition boosts access to essential medicines for NHS patients in the UK

The acquisition is expected to further drive the company’s growth.

gettyimages

Aspire acquires UK distribution rights from Tetris

Aspire Pharma Limited, one of the UK’s fastest-growing specialty niche generics companies, has announced the acquisition of UK distribution rights to a number of products from Tetris Pharma, a subsidiary of Arecor Therapeutics.

These include products used in the treatment of bacterial infections—such as injectable and intravenous antibiotics—as well as a medicine indicated for acute myocardial infarction (MI) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Keep ReadingShow less
GP surgery upgrades for annual appointments

The surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”

Pic credit: iStock

GP surgery upgrades to create 8.3 million more annual appointments

Over 1,000 GP surgeries will have their premises modernised to meet the needs of a further 8.3 million appointments each year, the government has announced.

Backed by a cash injection of over £102 million, the surgeries will have additional space to “see more patients, boost productivity and improve patient care”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Wales boosts funding for pharmacy-led UTI and sore throat test services

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service will be widely available

Pic credit: istock

Welsh pharmacies receive funding boost for clinical services

Two key clinical services will be available in 99 per cent of community pharmacies across Wales after a boost in funding.

The sore throat test (STTT) and treat service and the urinary tract infection (UTI) service have both benefitted from contractual negotiations between the Welsh Government and Community Pharmacy Wales (CPW).

Keep ReadingShow less
Paul Bennett
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Paul Bennett, CEO, Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Pharmacists need to take advantage of independent prescribing pathways, says Bennett

Independent prescribing will be a “significant point” in the history of community pharmacy, according to Royal Pharmaceutical Society chief executive Paul Bennett.

Last month, the RPS announced the launch of a comprehensive new prescribing development programme to support pharmacists across all stages of their prescribing careers.

Keep ReadingShow less