A group of prominent politicians, including MPs and peers, have renewed their call for a fairer funding for community pharmacies in England at a virtual meeting organised by the All-Party Pharmacy Group on Wednesday (April 28).
Chair of the group Jackie Doyle-Price MP was joined by parliamentarians from across the political divide to hear from frontline pharmacists about how they have been supporting patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Contractors showcased how their teams have played a key role as part of the NHS family during the pandemic, including maintaining access to essential medicines, offering mental health support, providing face-to-face advice, and delivering flu jabs and Covid-19 vaccinations.
The meeting also highlighted how greater use of pharmacists’ clinical skills can help manage increasing demand across the health service, with MPs and peers backing calls for fair funding for community pharmacy as part of the NHS recovery.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) England chair Claire Anderson said: “We heard again today how pharmacists and pharmacy teams have gone above and beyond to support patients during Covid-19.
“The message was loud and clear that we urgently need to see fair funding for community pharmacy as part of the NHS recovery.
“Making the most of pharmacists’ clinical skills across care settings, as well as increased support for independent prescribers, will be essential to coping with growing demand on the health service.
“The RPS supports the work of the All-Party Pharmacy Group alongside the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, Company Chemists Association, National Pharmacy Association and Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee.”
