Pharmacy developments have only just started, minister says
Craig Strong
Andy Burnham: commitment is there |
Developments in pharmacy services have only just begun to scratch the surface of what can be achieved, health minister Andy Burnham said at last week's Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee annual dinner. “I am personally convinced the next decade will
see community pharmacy having a much bigger role,” he said.
Referring to plans to make better use of the whole pharmacy workforce,
Mr Burnham gave an undertaking that patient safety would be at the forefront.
That was why extensive consultation was taking place on the new role
of responsible pharmacist in community pharmacy. “We will do nothing
to jeopardise patient safety in implementing this measure,” the
minister stated.
Mr Burnham said that he had heard the concerns of pharmacists arising
from the introduction of practice-based commissioning. He was sure that
the expertise and contribution of pharmacists needed to be brought to
bear on the commissioning process and a project was being funded this
year to support better integration of pharmacy with PBC.
“We hope this will stimulate greater pharmacy involvement to make
a full contribution as we move forward in shaping service delivery for
the future,” Mr
Burnham said.
But there will be further change, the minister warned, saying: “The
commitment is there to help you deliver and make sure you are in the
best possible place to contribute to the NHS of the future. I want pharmacy
to feel it is on the front foot at all times — leading the way
in transforming future service provision.”
Meeting report p378
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The
Pharmaceutical Journal
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