The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 271 No 7273 p605
1 November 2003

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DoH: A Vision for Pharmacy in the New NHS (more)

Pharmacy care role needs NHS support

The place of community pharmacy within integrated pathways of care for patients depends on support and investment from the National Health Service, the North East London Local Pharmaceutical Committee says in its response to the Department of Health's vision for pharmacy document.

The LPC represents 370 pharmacies in what it says are some of the most diverse and deprived communities in the country. Pharmacy has the potential to contribute to reducing social exclusion as well as improving public health, the LPC says. However, in order to do this, pharmacy owners will need stability in the market and support from central government, particularly for installing information technology links.

Other suggestions the LPC makes are for the removal of VAT on smoking cessation products and for pharmacists to be promoted nationally as a source of advice on weight management.