Government response to Galbraith to form part of new White Paper
 A White Paper that will set out future proposals for developing pharmaceutical services is to be published by the Department of Health in the autumn (2007).
The Government’s response to the Galbraith
review of pharmaceutical contractual arrangements will be delayed and incorporated in the White
Paper. The review has not yet been published but was presented to ministers
in the spring. The All-Party Pharmacy Group report on the future of pharmacy
will also be considered along with the Galbraith review, health minister
Dawn Primarolo announced in a written ministerial statement last week.
“It is important that we reflect further on these reports in the
context of wider developments that are taking place in the NHS, and in
particular
the wide ranging
review [of the NHS to be led by Lord Darzi (PJ, 7 July,
p3)],” said Ms Primarolo. She explained: “We have, therefore,
decided to defer responding formally to [Anne Galbraith’s] review
until later this autumn. We will come forward with a White Paper, which
will set out future proposals for developing pharmacy services and any
legislative reform necessary.”
Responding to this, the APPG said that it made good sense for the Government
to consider its report alongside the Galbraith review. “Our report
made a number of recommendations; we look forward to these being reflected
and acted upon in the White Paper,” it added.
David Pruce, director of practice and quality improvement at the Royal
Pharmaceutical Society, commented: “The APPG inquiry highlighted
that there are a number of barriers that need to be resolved if pharmacy
is to fully develop itself as a clinical profession. These issues go
way beyond control of entry and it is encouraging to see the DoH taking
a holistic approach to the development of pharmacy services.” He
added that it is all too easy to deal with issues in a piecemeal way.
“Indeed, the control of entry exemptions were a consequence of
this piecemeal approach and they have not delivered the promise of a
simpler and fairer
system. The production of the White Paper should be seen as hugely positive.
We would encourage the DoH to look across pharmacy and the wider health
service to develop plans that will enable pharmacy to deliver its potential
as a truly integrated clinical profession,” he said.
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee commented: “The
delay in publishing the Galbraith report and the announcement that a
White Paper on pharmacy is to be published in the autumn will inevitably
give rise to uncertainty and speculation.” It added that the PSNC
will be actively seeking to ensure that any proposals for change build
on and develop the progress community pharmacy has made in extending
the range and quality of services it provides to patients under the new
contractual framework.
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