In News

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

In a passionate speech outlining the contribution of community pharmacy to the NHS, National Pharmacy Association chairman Ian Strachan warned ministers.

€We don't know what we've got until it's gone,€ he said. €A poorly planned centralised dispensing or hub-and-spoke system could threaten independent pharmacy€, adding that face-to-face consultation with patients in community pharmacies, particularly elderly patients, €matters€. The important contribution of community pharmacy day to day may not always be fully recognised, Mr Strachan suggested.

€What we see as routine, we tend not to celebrate.€ Independents must be €confident, bold and brave€ about what more can be achieved through pharmacy: €We need to reach out and liberate the potential of community pharmacy.€

Pharmacy minister Alistair Burt was due to address guests at the NPA triennial dinner in London in November, but was unable to attend.