The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7417 p299
9 September 2006

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Minister launches national framework to support establishment of pharmacists with special interests

A national framework and guidance to support the establishment of pharmacists with special interests (PhwSIs) was launched by minister of state for delivery and quality, Andy Burnham, at the 2006 British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester this week (see p309). The framework includes a definition, guidance on how PhwSI services can be put in place, a competency framework for PhwSIs and examples of current service models similar to those envisaged for PhwSIs.

Mr Burnham told participants: “All pharmacists play a valuable role in helping patients manage their medicines, as well as contributing to public health. [The Government] remains committed to developing PhwSIs so that we can build on existing delivery models to enable pharmacists to take their unique contribution to new levels in areas such as diabetes, pain control and substance misuse.”

To become a PhwSI, a pharmacist will have to undergo extra competency training and gain accreditation via a locally determined process based on the national framework. The services provided by PhwSIs will also need to be accredited. Mr Burnham explained that the framework builds on pharmacists’ core roles and provides commissioners with an opportunity to maximise pharmacists’ contribution in specialist areas. “Easy access, one of community pharmacists’ traditional strengths, must be underpinned by quality and safety. So I am pleased that the framework sets out a process for supporting accreditation and competency to help ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care,” he added.

The minister explained that, although this model will best fit with community and other primary care based pharmacists, it does not prevent hospital pharmacists providing services in the community. Hospital pharmacists currently have the opportunity to specialise by becoming consultant pharmacists.

The framework is part of a series of documents being published this year to support the implementation of the Government’s White Paper on care closer to home. National guidelines that set out the detail of the accreditation process for PhwSIs are expected to be published later in 2006.