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Insight Online – May 2024

This month, learn about how we are supporting a wider role for pharmacists and find out why we can't support DiCE's best practice guidance for online prescribing. Plus, read about some of the ways you can get involved in helping to improve the working lives of pharmacists.

Thu 30th May 2024 The PDA

In this issue:

PDA supports a wider healthcare role for pharmacists 

We have partnered with Aston University and the Priory Community Pharmacy to showcase the opportunities for pharmacists to deliver wider healthcare services as part of vaccination programmes.

Our project is part of our commitment to highlight the potential for future clinical services in community pharmacies and the increasing opportunities for the pharmacists’ role in providing vaccination services. If successful, the research will support us in further engaging with NHS policymakers and advocating for an enhanced role of pharmacists when seeing patients.
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PDA cannot support DiCE best practice guidance

We are unable to recommend reliance upon guidance published by the Digital Clinical Excellence (DiCE) for online prescribing of GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management in adults as it conflicts with an expert report commissioned by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

The report is currently being used to prosecute significant numbers of pharmacist prescribers who use a questionnaire-based model of consultation.

We are calling upon the GPhC to issue unambiguous guidance about its expectations as, at the moment, pharmacists prescribing GLP1-RA medication based upon an asynchronous model expose themselves to the risk of possible regulatory action.
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PDA to support members if PCNs decide not to fund pharmacist roles

Changes to the GP Contract in England mean that Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) can no longer redistribute unspent Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) budgets amongst Primary Care Networks (PCNs). Any unspent allocation to each PCN must now be returned to the Treasury. In practice, this will mean that some existing pharmacist roles will no longer be funded by the ARRS.

We believe that pharmacist roles within PCNs and across the primary care system add great value to patients and communities and that allowing such a scenario to occur would be a retrograde step by NHS England. We will continue to lobby decision-makers to make the best use of the profession across all parts of the health system.
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PDA Union – 2024 Annual General Meeting calling notice

The PDA Union AGM will be held face-to-face on Thursday 27 June 2024. If you wish to attend, please register before close of business on Thursday 20 June.

Learn more

PDA publishes summary of the Pharmacy Technicians Report

We have launched a summary of our Pharmacy Technicians Report for members. The summary outlines the key points and recommendations made in 2019.
 
Learn more

Are you fit to sit for the June 2024 assessment?

As the assessment is approaching, we are offering advice to trainees on what to expect, what to do if they feel they cannot sit the assessment, and more.

Learn more

 
Below is a list of the other key news stories that have been published on our website this month:

26/5/24 – Student Newsletter – May 2024

24/5/24 – PDA hospital members meet to discuss workplace stress

23/5/24 – Intersection Update – May 2024

21/5/24 – PDA submits written evidence to the Built Environment Committee Inquiry

21/5/24 – PDA writes to the Chair of the UK Pharmacy Professional Leadership Advisory Board, Sir Hugh Taylor

20/5/24 – Pharmacist Support launches the trainee pharmacist ACTNow campaign

18/5/24 – PDA Regional Committees discuss the latest issues in pharmacy

17/5/24 – PDA works closely with the STUC to improve the working lives of pharmacists in Scotland

16/5/24 – Shaping pharmacy: PDA Reps and active members development day

16/5/24 – FIP publishes its annual report for 2023

15/5/24 – PDA Reps at Boots mark Mental Health Awareness Week

15/5/24 – Northern Ireland Healthcare Awards Winners 2024 revealed

13/5/24 – A typical week for the PDA

12/5/24 – PSNI will not be able to offer the option to pay retention fees in instalments this retention year

8/5/24 – PDA to attend 13th annual STUC LGBT+ Workers’ Conference

7/5/24 – Joint statement – Boots and the PDA

3/5/24 – Claire Ward is the first Mayor of the East Midlands

1/5/24 – PDA condemns the government’s increase of prescription charges in England
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Helping to improve the profession

Please see below for ways you can have your voice heard and get involved in helping to improve the working lives of those in the profession.
Complete our Safer Pharmacies Survey

We are asking all pharmacists to complete our annual Safer Pharmacies survey. We’ll use the results to lobby the government, regulators, and employers to improve safety in the workplace, so make sure you share your experiences!

Complete the survey here.
Become a Trustee for Pharmacist Support

Pharmacist Support, the pharmacy profession’s independent charity, are looking for new Trustees who will use their ‘lived’ experience to represent and support pharmacists. The closing date for applications is 7 June 2024.

Learn more about the position here.
It’s time to address disability discrimination

You are invited to the launch event of the PDA Ability Network’s campaign against disability discrimination, which aims to secure reasonable adjustments for pharmacists with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

Learn more and register to attend the free event here.

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The Pharmacists' Defence Association is an appointed representative in respect of insurance mediation activities only of
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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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