PCTs need clear point of contact at multiples
Primary care trusts need a clear point of contact at multiple pharmacies, Digby Emson, chairman of the Company Chemists’ Association, said at the Primary Care conference in Birmingham last week.
It is incumbent on multiples to make it as easy as possible for PCTs
to engage with them, he argued, but PCTs also need to recognise that
each multiple is different, and so be flexible and fair in their approach. “PCTs
need to ensure that their commissioning arrangements are transparent
and that they create a level playing field. This is crucial to every
pharmacy contractor — both big and small,” he said.
Mr Emson also warned that community pharmacists need to recognise that,
with regard to enhanced services, they are competing for the same funds
as GPs and other primary care providers.
“We are going to have to make a strong case to attract funding
and that will be a key role for local pharmaceutical committees,” he
said.
CCA members should, therefore, support their LPC representatives, he
said, so that they are able to do the best possible job of representing
contractors’ interests with PCTs. “LPCs need to monitor local
arrangements and ensure that pharmacy gets to hear about all the opportunities — whether
they have a pharmacy label attached to them or not,” he added.
Independent and multiple pharmacies face many of the same problems and
it is in the interests of both to present a united front to Government
and commissioners of health services, he said. “Now that we have
the contract and a model for fair funding for the future, community pharmacy
not only has to deliver, but has also to be seen by the public to deliver,” he
argued. “This obligation to deliver places an enormous pressure
on us all — whether we are independent, single owner proprietors
or the largest multiple.” |
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