UK pharmacy under fire
March 22, 2016
DELEGATES at APP on the Gold
Coast last weekend were told the
sobering tale of the current major
attack on community pharmacy
under way in the UK.
Giving the Allan Russell Oration at
APP, pharmacist Ian Strachan, who’s
chairman of the National Pharmacy
Association (NPA), described
the “Cavendish-Ridge” plan for
pharmacy, which was unveiled
just before Christmas and involves
massive funding cuts.
An open letter to the
Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating
Committee advised that funding
for community pharmacy would be
cut by £170 million in 2016/17 - a
reduction of more than 6%.
A consultation gave just
three months to respond, with
the proposed changes to be
implemented in Oct this year.
Measures would include more
‘hub and spoke’ dispensing and an
extension of prescription duration
from 28 days to 90 days supply.
Strachan outlined a massive
campaign under way to battle the
moves, with pharmacists across the
UK mobilised to inform patients
and get them to sign petitions.
Alternatives have also been
proposed including eRepeat
Dispensing, a range of professional
services including a minor ailments
scheme, pharmacy immunisation
and ultimately long-term support
for patients with chronic conditions.
Strachan said while it’s still in its
early stage the campaign is starting
to have an effect and he’s urging
pharmacists to “stay ruthlessly
positive” and focus on the value
added by community pharmacy.
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