UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership report proposes collaboration of leadership bodies and specialist professional group

The UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership set up by the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales has published its recommendations for the ‘future of pharmacy professional leadership in the UK’ on Monday (6 February).

The Commission is co-chaired by Nigel Clarke, Former Chair of the General Pharmaceutical Council, and Professor Dame Jane Dacre, Professor of Medical Education at University College London Medical School.

The Commission proposes that closer collaboration between professional leadership bodies and specialist professional groups as part of a Pharmacy Leadership Council will enable and support pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.

The Council will be set up in 2023 to lead the implementation of the report’s vision and recommendations over five years.

Commission Co-Chairs, Professor Dame Jane Dacre and Nigel Clarke: “The Commission has set out a collaborative approach to transform pharmacy professional leadership and deliver sustained benefits for patients and the public and pharmacy professionals in the UK.

“Pharmacy is at its time of greatest opportunity and pharmacy professional leadership as a whole urgently needs a strong and united voice.

“We’d like to thank Commission and Working Group members and everyone who contributed through the Call for Evidence, webinars and discussions to delivering this report.”

UK Chief Pharmaceutical Officers Cathy Harrison, Andrew Evans, Alison Strath and David Webb: “We will now move swiftly to establish a collaborative, UK-wide Pharmacy Leadership Council to lead delivery of its recommendations and ensure we equip and support the pharmacy professions for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

“The vision is for authoritative leadership with a coordinated voice to lead and represent the pharmacy professions effectively for the benefit of patients and local communities, working alongside other important stakeholders.”

The report highlights key themes around leadership for both the pharmacy professions and for the public and patients that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians care for.

The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) said, “The report published today by the UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership recognises the importance and value of pharmacy professional leadership and the connection that professional leadership has with independent regulation.”

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) commented: “We recognise our role in pharmacy professional leadership needs to be different and more inclusive.

There is a need to create an agenda for reform with substantial changes that will stand the test of time. This will require RPS, and others, to spend time considering the most effective way of implementing transformational change.

Our commitment is to work collaboratively with our members, the wider pharmacy community and the Chief Pharmaceutical Officers to deliver the professional leadership our great profession deserves.”

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) Director of Corporate Affairs, Gareth Jones believes that this is a significant attempt to strengthen bridges across the profession and grow the standing of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, in line with evolving public expectations.

“If this is to be genuinely broad and inclusive, professionals working in community pharmacy - who form the large majority - must be seriously engaged in the process of change.

“As a major employer body and training provider, we look forward to playing our part in this reset of pharmacy professional leadership.”