Get planning now for the new contract, says UniChem
Pharmacists need to start planning for the implementation of the new contract now, according to Mike Smith, chairman of UniChem. Although a growing number of pharmacists are getting prepared, others have not yet realised the changes they will need to make, he said at a press briefing last week.
However, Martyn Ward, sales and marketing director, said that, through
the services offered by Pharmacy Alliance (a division of UniChem), UniChem
was “ready to roll”. He explained: “We have got immediate
solutions for all three levels of service possible in the new contract.
These are not services pharmacists will have to test, they are proven
and ready to go now.”
Pharmacy Alliance offers medicines management programmes to pharmacists
and primary care organisations, explained Alistair Marsh, the company’s
general manager. “Pharmacy Alliance’s role is detached from
UniChem so once our services have been purchased by a primary care organisation,
they can be delivered through any community pharmacy.”
Mr Marsh added: “We have a model of delivery and can take pharmacists
right through from how to introduce the service to the end point.” Ziba
Rajaei-Dehkordi, professional services manager, added: “Our expertise
is not only in designing services but also in making sure there are practical
mechanisms in place so that they can be delivered and are sustainable.”
The services that Pharmacy Alliance offers have been developed over the
past five years. It is already working with community pharmacies across
50 primary care organisations. Services include a minor ailments scheme,
a prescription intervention scheme and medicines use review. Programmes
in development include services for patients with Parkinson’s disease,
coronary heart disease, diabetes and erectile dysfunction. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal