The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee and the National Pharmaceutical Association have both welcomed the publication of the national plan for pharmacy on September 12. Both have also expressed some reservations.
The PSNC said that it was pleased at the positive response to medicines management, professional development, involvement in NHS Direct and the proposed appointment of a chief pharmacist at the Department of Health. However, it was anxious to discuss the proposed changes to pharmacy contracts, including their extension to individually named pharmacists, rather than current contractors, and relaxation of the control of entry requirements.
It was also concerned at the references to the legality of e-pharmacy and proposals to extend it to include NHS prescriptions.
The PSNC chairman (Mr Wally Dove) commented: "While wanting to take NHS community pharmacy forward, we must not risk destroying all that is good in the existing service arrangements."
The NPA took a similar line. It said that it was pleased that the plan paved the way for pharmacy to play a full role in the NHS. It expressed reservations about the proposals to allow the supply of medicines from e-pharmacies or any other arms length route.
Like the PSNC, the NPA welcomed the proposals related to NHS Direct and to medicines management, but it was concerned at the proposal to include pharmacies in one-stop primary care centres. It hoped that this could be achieved within the existing control of entry regulations so as not to disrupt access to local pharmacy services. The NPA also welcomed the proposals on repeat dispensing and the electronic transfer of prescriptions. It said that there should be open debate on this, with open systems so that all pharmacies could participate. Prescription direction should not be allowed.
Mr John D'Arcy (director, NPA) said: "Change can be an uncomfortable process. We hope that appropriate financial, and other, resources will be available to ensure that community pharmacy can build properly on its strengths."
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's response was given by its President at the British Pharmaceutical Conference (p400).