The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7229 p890
21/28 December 2002

Society summary

Parliamentary briefing on pharmacy in the new NHS

The role of pharmacies in Britain's health care is highlighted in a four-page Parliamentary briefing from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The briefing, "Pharmacists: a vital contribution to the new NHS", has been sent to all members of Parliament and to those peers with health interests. It outlines key opportunities and challenges currently facing the Society and the profession. They include:

• The challenge of modernising the Society's role as a regulator and professional body for pharmacists

• How pharmacists are bringing medicines expertise to the health team

• How pharmacists could make a greater contribution to health care by prescribing in a broad range of circumstances.

• How pharmacists are supporting better medicines management in primary care

• How pharmacists can manage more appropriate handling of minor ailments and are increasingly involved in activities to promote healthy living

Copies of the briefing document can be obtained from the Society (tel 020 7572 2338; e-mail cmitchell@rpsgb.org.uk) or downloaded from the Society's website (PDF 40K).