Chief pharmacist says LPS should become a priority for profession
Pharmacists should consider submitting proposals for local pharmaceutical
services pilots as a priority.
This was the advice of Dr Jim Smith, chief pharmacist for England, speaking
at the annual conference of the National Association of Co-operative Executive
Pharmacists held in Edinburgh last weekend.
Although he accepted there were many pressures on community pharmacists
and a great deal of uncertainty for the profession, Dr Smith admitted
that he was disappointed that there had only been four successful proposals
accepted for the first wave of LPS pilots. “I hope the second wave
will be better, “ he said.
He pointed out that approximately 75 per cent of total NHS funds in England
will be allocated via primary care trusts in the next few years, so pharmacists
should take advantage of those arrangements. By putting forward ideas
for LPS they could access those funds because the projects are negotiated
at a local level.
“In the long-term LPS will be significant,” Dr Smith said.
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