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PDA representing interests of employed and locum pharmacists in supervision working group

The PDA is making sure the interests and views of employed and locum pharmacists are effectively represented in conversations about supervision.

Fri 3rd February 2023 The PDA

The Pharmacy Supervision Practice Group has been formed to try and find a way forward for supervision. Organisations with different perspectives from across the community pharmacy sector have joined together to form a working group to look into future modelling of pharmacy practice. 

The work has been initiated in response to much discussion relating to current legislation, and case law surrounding supervision of community pharmacy practice, and the intention of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), and Health Departments in the devolved governments, to reform current legislation later on this year. 

The role of the group will be to co-produce a report along with a set of recommendations that will inform the work of the DHSC and health ministers in the development of future legislation. 

 The primary objectives of the group are to develop a solution that: 

  • Is focused on enhancing patient experience and maintaining patient safety. 
  • Enables the community pharmacy workforce to maximise their skills and professional roles.

Independent chair of the group Dr Michael Twigg, Associate Professor of Primary Care Pharmacy, University of East Anglia said, “I am delighted to have been asked to chair this group on the future of community pharmacy supervision. The sector as a whole have been really positive in engaging with this process with a common purpose to develop a shared vision for the next generation of community pharmacy for the benefit of patients and our workforce across the UK. The outcome from this work will not simply redefine supervision practice but provide minsters with the evidence and tools to transform future community pharmacy practice for the benefit of patients and the profession.” 

The group met for the first time on Friday 13 January 2023, will meet again on Thursday 9 February 2023, and then again in March and April. Initial discussions have been positive and collaborative, focusing on what community pharmacy and patient care looks like in the future. This will help frame ongoing discussions on how the regulatory framework underpinning community pharmacy practice can support this vision.  

To help ensure impartiality the secretariat for the group is being provided by the Association of Optometrists. Carolyn Ruston, Director of Policy at the AOP said, I am really pleased to be able to support the pharmacy sector in this work. The Optical sector recently began a Call for Evidence and Consultation process on changes to the Opticians Act 1989 which included similar issues around delegation and supervision. I look forward to seeing the final outcome of this work and the translation of impact into clinical practice.”

For further information on this work, please contact a local organisational representative in the first instance.  

 The Pharmacy Supervision Practice Group is made up of the following members: 

  • AIMP Limited (AIMP)
  • Association of Pharmacy Technicians United Kingdom (APTUK)
  • Company Chemists’ Association Limited (CCA)
  • National Pharmacy Association Limited (NPA)
  • Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA)
  • Pharmacy Forum Northern Ireland (PFNI)
  • The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPS)

Observers on the Group are:

  • General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
  • Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC)
  • Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI)

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