Community contract puts credibility on the line
Barry Andrews: Credibility depends on getting a good start to the
contract |
Community pharmacy contractors in England and Wales need to act now if the sector is to maintain its credibility.
Speaking on the implementation of the new pharmacy contract at this month’s
meeting of the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, chairman
Barry Andrews said: “The credibility of community pharmacy and
its ability to develop its role in providing care for patients is dependent
on us having a good start to the new
contract, which will be formally
introduced in 10 weeks, from the beginning of October.”
Mr Andrews said that it was crucial that all contractors ensured they
were properly equipped to carry out the new contract at its most basic
level — essential
services — before October.
“Contractors need to become engaged now and ensure that they are
properly accredited for carrying out the essential services,” Mr
Andrews said.
Essential services under the new contract are dispensing, repeat dispensing,
disposing of unwanted medicines, health promotion, directing people to
other sources of help, supporting self-care and clinical governance.
To help contractors meet their obligations, the PSNC will be organising
a series of roadshows over the next few weeks.
Control of entry The one-stop shop exemption
from the control of entry requirements for pharmacy contracts has
been amended so that exemption is available to centres where all
patient lists add up to at least 18,000 patients. Previously all
18,000 patients had to be registered with a single practice.
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