Pharmacy should be proud of the sector's performance during the severe weather conditions this winter, says pharmacist Mike Smith

The severe weather in late February caused tremendous problems right across the UK, with many services grinding to a halt. I have to say that pharmacy performed really well to ensure that our patients received their vital medical supplies, again demonstrating the magnificent value we provide to our local communities.

There are numerous stories of staff walking to work and then delivering medicines to housebound patients on foot. If ever we needed a better example of the vital social and healthcare support that community pharmacies provide – this was it. I hope that these efforts receive recognition they deserve and we continue to PR ourselves.

Dedication and commitment

I must place on record my thanks to my colleagues at Alliance Healthcare UK, who managed the challenges caused by the snowfall with remarkable dedication, ingenuity and commitment. Together, with pharmacy we did everything we could to minimise disruption to our customers. When travel was difficult every effort was made to ensure that emergency medical supplies reached pharmacies, hospitals and medical practices. I heard that one of our Alcura nurses delivered medication on a snow plough. My colleagues did not just go the extra mile, they went the extra 100 miles and great credit is due to every one of them.

News from across Europe

I attended the European Pharmacists Forum (EPF) in Paris recently and welcomed new members from Romania and Northern Ireland. They made a very significant contribution to the event and it was interesting to hear these countries face similar challenges to mainland England. In Northern Ireland there is no government at this time and discussions around remuneration are on hold, but we see dispensing volume increase by 30 per cent, while funding has fallen by 27 per cent.

The workshops at the forum looked at different services emerging in pharmacies – many of which have a digital dimension. I am convinced that this is where the future lies.

There is a shortage of pharmacists in France – so there are good opportunities for students. It was a pleasure to meet Robin Ignasiak, president of the national students’ association of France. He is very optimistic about the future for graduates.

There was also good news from Scotland. Although funding is tight there is a clear strategy for community pharmacy going forward, where pharmacists will become more patient facing.

We think it is tough in the UK but, believe me, it is just the same across mainland Europe.

In other news, I gain some comfort that the Department of Health will revisit the vexed issue of pharmacy supervision. I have the highest regard for the skills of dispensing technicians, who deliver the very highest standards.

Despite this I have the view that pharmacists perform a key function in the daily supervision of pharmacy operations. You’ve heard me say many times that the relationship between the pharmacist and the patient is sacrosanct. I therefore welcome the decision for a public consultation on this and I trust that our profession will make significant contribution to this debate.

Be prepared

There are two very important changes we must all be aware of: Falsified Medicine Directive, which we discussed in detail at the EPF, and becomes legislation in February 2019, and even sooner, GDPR data protection regulations that come into effect from May 2018.

Please ensure your business is prepared and if in doubt seek advice and guidance.

Mike Smith is chairman of Alliance Healthcare