The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7480 p622
1 December 2007

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• Registration (3)
• Retention fees
• Influenza
• NHS
• Community pharmacy
• Ventolin
• The Society

Letters to the Editor

Community pharmacy

Lack of engagement

From Mr M. Smith, FRPharmS

I have just completed my annual round of UniChem customer forum meetings and dinners and I am extremely concerned at the lack of engagement of primary care organisations with community pharmacists.

Although Scotland is leading the way in the implementation of its pharmacy contract, it is clear that south of the border there is little or no engagement and funding. A year ago I expected such inconsistency but to find, 12 months later, that the situation is unimproved is extremely worrying.

It is suggested that 50 per cent of pharmacists’ remuneration will be devolved to a local level; if this is the case we must address the situation now.

I have written to the NHS Executive to better understand accountability within primary care trusts and directions on engaging with community pharmacy. As yet I have received no satisfactory reply.

Politicians speak fine words about our profession but, come on Ms Primarolo, what is going on?

Mike Smith
Chairman
Unichem Ltd

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