Pharmacy contract fails to stimulate innovation
The community pharmacy contract in England and Wales has widened the use of existing services rather than stimulated innovative practice, a summary of research funded by the Pharmacy Practice Research Trust suggests.
The researchers surveyed 31 primary care organisations (PCOs), all 1,080
community pharmacies within these PCOs, 24 out of 28 strategic health
authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government to assess the impact of
the community pharmacy contractual framework in England and Wales.
The summary of findings released this week suggests that 80 per cent
of enhanced services were being commissioned before the new contract.
The researchers say that specifications for enhanced services are currently
following, rather than leading, practice. They recommend that the work
begun by the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee to develop
specifications for services to support people with long-term conditions
should be progressed quickly.
Lead researcher Alison Blenkinsopp, professor of the practice of pharmacy,
Keele University, said: “Our research findings highlight the need
for action to boost inter-professional relationships between community
pharmacists and general practice; to ensure that pharmacy is engaged
with practice based commissioning;
to stimulate and spread innovation in enhanced services; to make sure
that PCOs conduct robust pharmaceutical needs assessments; and to promote
[the pharmacy contract] to patients, the public and clinicians.”
The surveys also highlight workforce issues, with pharmacists reporting
that they are often stressed by the daily demands of work. About a third
of pharmacists are less satisfied with their job now than before the
contract came in and only a sixth are more satisfied.
The research will be presented at this year’s British
Pharmaceutical Conference.
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