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A victory for the individual pharmacist agenda

In England the unacceptable situation where commercially driven agendas involve setting targets for MURs and other services provided by pharmacists has largely arisen because it is the owner of the pharmacy and not the pharmacist that is exclusively recognised by the NHS as the service provider.

Thu 29th August 2013 The PDA

The PDA, through its Road Map proposals, has been arguing that the individual pharmacist should also be recognised by the NHS, especially as a contractual provider of pharmaceutical care services.

The PDA has been developing and articulating its proposals to patient groups, other healthcare professions, pharmacy organisations and the government over the last two years. Following submission of the PDA Road Map proposals to a Scottish Government commissioned independent review of pharmaceutical care in the community in 2012, the now completed review has the PDA’s individual pharmacist concept embedded at its very core.

Contractual recognition of individual pharmacists alongside pharmacy owners by the NHS in Scotland will introduce a more appropriate relationship between pharmacists and owners, and will enable pharmacists to act with much greater professional autonomy than is currently the case. This will help to limit the prospect of an employer targeted approach to service delivery and will improve benefits to patients.

Some of the review’s recommendations include:

  • NHS to contract with individual pharmacists for the provision of pharmaceutical care
  • Listing of both individual pharmacists and owners on the pharmaceutical contractor list
  • Increasing the profile and autonomy of the individual pharmacist
  • Developing the role of pharmacist prescribing·Pharmacists to deliver pharmaceutical care in residential homes.

Mark Koziol, Chairman of the PDA, comments:

“This review balanced the views from a very wide group of contributors to include patients, other healthcare professions and pharmacy representative organisations. We are absolutely delighted that it has come down firmly behind the exciting possibilities that the development of the individual pharmacist agenda can provide for patients and the delivery of healthcare generally.”

He adds:

“Pharmacists are increasingly required to use their expertise and their professional knowledge; however, they are often being hampered by a commercial target-setting agenda which concerns itself more with profit than with patient care. The principles set out in this report will go some considerable way towards addressing this.”

The embarkation upon this important new strategic direction is extremely encouraging. The PDA will now aim to work with the Scottish government to assist with the implementation of the plan. The PDA is also continuing to promote its individual pharmacist concept throughout the rest of the UK.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England; Company No 4746656.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
The Pharmacy Insurance Agency Limited which is registered in England and Wales under company number 2591975
and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register No 307063)

The PDA Union is recognised by the Certification Officer as an independent trade union.

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