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The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 265 No 7104 p39
July 8, 2000 News

PCG role for pharmacy promoted at NHS Confederation conference

The benefits of involving a pharmacist in the management of primary care groups and primary care trusts was the key message on the pharmacy stand at this year's NHS Confederation conference and exhibition, held in Glasgow from June 28 to 30.
Hosted jointly by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the Company Chemists Association, the stand featured the role of the pharmacist in the new National Health Service.

Pharmacy stand
Mr Jennifer Archer (Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education) in conversation with Mr David Thompson (director of pharmacy, Greater Glasgow Primary Care NHS trust) on the pharmacy stand

The Society's representative on the stand, Mr Roger Odd (head of professional and scientific support), said afterwards that many chairmen and chief executives of health authorities and trusts had visited the stand, giving the pharmacy representatives a unique opportunity to indicate how local pharmacists could get involved with them in delivering health care.
The PCG/PCT message was supported by a specially produced leaflet, "Don't miss out", which set out six reasons why a community pharmacist was indispensable to the management of a PCG or PCT.
An opportunity for representatives to stress the role of pharmacists in medicines management was provided by a competition to guess the number of tablets and capsules in a large carboy, with the chance to win a set of reproduction antique drug jars.
The three-day conference and exhibition was attended by senior NHS managers, PCG/PCT leaders, nurses and other health care professionals. The NHS Confederation represents more than 500 NHS trusts and 100 health authorities.