I am immensely proud of the strides our pharmacists are making in integrating Pharmacy First into their practices, writes Mandeep Mudhar

One shining example is the work of Alphega Pharmacy members Anil Chauhan and Yasar Hussain in Preston. Their journey epitomises the spirit of collaboration and innovation that we advocate.

Pharmacy First has transformed community pharmacists into key players in patient care – but success depends on building strong relationships with GPs. During my career, I’ve seen that these relationships require consistent effort, proactive communication, and genuine commitment to patient care.

Anil and Yasar’s story began with the Community Pharmacy Consultation Service (CPCS), receiving patient referrals from their local GP surgery for specific conditions. Initially, there were challenges, but they were undeterred. They invested in training and mastering conditions like ear infections and sore throats, eventually earning the GPs’ trust.

A key to their success was Anil’s approach to handling small prescription errors. Instead of just fixing them, he would call the GP to confirm their intentions. This simple act of communication showed his attention to detail and commitment to patient safety. Over time, these consistent actions built strong rapport with the GPs, who began to see Anil as a reliable partner in patient care.

Pharmacists must not hesitate to communicate with GPs, even just to double-check details. These small moments of communication are crucial. Anil and Yasar’s experience shows that proving reliability through consistent actions can significantly enhance the GP-pharmacist relationship.

Additionally, Anil and Yasar invested in training to expand the services they could offer, like ear and throat examinations. This further boosted the GPs’ confidence in their capabilities, leading to more referrals. Their story highlights the importance of continuous professional development and adaptability in our profession.

The success of Pharmacy First relies heavily on strong relationships between pharmacists and GPs. Anil and Yasar’s journey is an inspiring example of how consistent effort, proactive communication, and a commitment to patient care can make GP referrals a seamless part of pharmacy practice. Mandeep Mudhar is head of Alphega Pharmacy