The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7317 p369
18 September 2004

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Principles for accreditation in new contract outlined

In order to provide advanced services in the second tier of the new community pharmacy contract, pharmacy premises and pharmacists will have to be accredited.

Speaking at the NHS Confederation conference this week, Alastair Buxton, head of NHS Services at the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, described the three principles that had been set for accreditation. First is that the pharmacy has a consultation area in which the pharmacist and patient can sit down together for a consultation. Second is that they can talk in the area at normal volume without being overheard. And third is that the area is clearly signposted as a private consultation area. Pharmacists will also have to be accredited; this will take the form of a competency assessment, about which more information will be made available soon.


Contract 2005, p385