The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7453 p598
26 May 2007

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NPA calls on pharmacists to demonstrate cost savings

The National Pharmacy Association has urged pharmacists to contact local primary care organisations and demonstrate how they can contribute to reducing prescribing costs.

The call follows publication of the National Audit Office report on prescribing costs in primary care (PJ, 19 May, p576), which highlighted potential annual savings of over £300m.

“[The report] is likely to sting staff in PCTs, already under acute pressure to minimise costs and prove efficiency — making this an opportunity for community pharmacists to salve wounds,” the NPA said.

Meanwhile, pharmacists are largely spared the blame for the wastage identified in the NAO report in an online poll conducted by the BBC. The poll asks who is responsible for “wasting millions on drugs”. Of the 7,562 respondents, less than 8 per cent hold pharmacists responsible, while over 45 per cent blame patients and over 30 per cent blame doctors.