Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

UKPPLAB to elevate pharmacist satisfaction and enhance patient safety

UKPPLAB to elevate pharmacist satisfaction and enhance patient safety
PDA advocates pharmacist autonomy in professional leadership amid CPhO influence

In a bid to bolster professional leadership within the pharmacy sector, the four government Chief Pharmaceutical Officers (CPhOs) have embarked on a significant initiative, forming the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board (UKPPLAB).

In a recent communication, all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians received confirmation of the board members selected by the CPhOs, alongside a note from the board's appointed chair, who was chosen collectively by the four CPhOs and reports directly to the CPhO for England.


Over three years, the 21-member Board will implement recommendations from the UK Commission on Pharmacy Professional Leadership’s report aimed to enhance professional fulfillment among pharmacists while simultaneously augmenting patient safety standards.

This announcement also follows with the appointment of Sir Hugh Taylor as its Independent Chair and the appointment of Independent Expert Members who expressed his delight over the role's "potential to lead and support collaboration across the professions in the UK".

However, the move has been met with cautious optimism from the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA), urging the new board to uphold transparency and openness to garner trust among pharmacists.

The introduction of this government-backed initiative lies in the recommendations of a commission funded by the government, wherein the CPhOs played a pivotal role.

Serving as advisors, selectors, and recipients of the commission's final report, the CPhOs have now taken the reins in creating a leadership advisory board.

The composition of the UKPPLAB underscores the involvement of the CPhOs in selecting the board's chair, participating in interviews, and endorsing independent board members, whose remuneration will be facilitated by the NHS.

While acknowledging the stature of the four CPhOs within the NHS, the PDA emphasizes the need for pharmacists to have a decisive say in their professional leadership, separate from employer or governmental influence.

A critical point of contention raised by the PDA is related to transparency in the selection process and concerns have been voiced regarding the association of board members with specific organizations and the lack of clarity regarding their roles and affiliations.

The PDA advocates for full disclosure of interests, remuneration arrangements, and organizational affiliations of all board members to ensure transparency and accountability.

In light of these concerns, the PDA has also called for greater transparency, urging the publication of eligibility criteria, membership statistics, and funding sources for organizations represented on the board.

Additionally, individual board members are urged to declare their interests comprehensively to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the board's composition and potential influences underscoring the necessity for transparency and accountability in shaping the future of pharmacy practice in the UK.

More For You

Majority of Brits neglect consistent skincare routine,  survey finds

On average, Brits go to bed without washing their face twice a week.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Skincare: One in five Brits go to bed without washing their face daily, survey finds

Nearly two-thirds of Brits (60 per cent) neglect a consistent skincare routine,with almost one in five going to bed without washing their face daily, according to a new survey by consumer health company Kenvue.

The UK-wide survey of 2,000 people revealed that one-third of respondents (34 per cent) spend five minutes or less on their daily skincare routine. On average, Brits go to bed without washing their face twice a week.

Keep ReadingShow less
Risk of pharmacy closures remains despite record funding uplift

Community pharmacy sector remains in a fragile position as the funding gap is still significant, says CCA.

gettyimages

Pharmacy closures still a risk as funding deal fails to cover costs – warns CCA

The community pharmacy sector has secured the largest funding uplift across the NHS, yet concerns remain that it may not be enough to prevent further closures and service reductions.

Following a six-week consultation with Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the government has approved a £3.073 billion funding package for 2025/26, supplemented by an additional £215 million to support Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Independent Prescribing: Government aims to complete pathfinder programme evaluation by autumn 2025

Pharmacist prescribers at 210 ‘pathfinder’ sites were allowed to trial prescribing models within integrated primary care services.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Independent prescribing: Pathfinder programme evaluation to be completed by autumn, says Kinnock

Health minister Stephen Kinnock has revealed that the evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme could be completed by Autumn 2025.

Kinnock was responding to a question from James Naish, Labour MP for Rushcliffe, who asked what steps the minister was taking to ensure continued support for the Pathfinder Programme and independent prescribing to maximise direct prescribing capacity in England.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free morning-after pill at pharmacies to end postcode lottery for patients

Pharmacy technicians will be allowed to supply of drospirenone for contraception under PGD,

gettyimages

Pharmacy contract: Free morning-after pill to be available at pharmacies soon

The UK government has announced that, for the first time ever, the ‘morning-after pill’ or emergency contraceptive pill will be available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS, ending the postcode lottery women face in accessing the medicine and reducing inequalities.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed a record £3.073 billion funding package for community pharmacies in 2025/26, alongside an additional £215 million to sustain Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Royal College status: The PDA calls for ‘meaningful and collaborative dialogue’

The profession’s success will depend on collaboration across all sectors, says PDA.

gettyimages

Royal College vote: Less than 7% of GB pharmacists in favour, says PDA

The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has criticised the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) for moving too quickly to a ballot on its proposed transition to a Royal College, arguing that it resulted in low participation from pharmacists in Great Britain.

Announcing the results of the special resolution vote, the RPS said that the outcome was a “clear mandate” in favour of the transformative change.

Keep ReadingShow less