The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7498 p460
19 April 2008

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MPs lobbied to push pharmacy up Scottish political agenda

Pharmacists in Scotland have begun lobbying politicians as part of a new effort to push pharmacy higher up the political agenda.

The first visit in the campaign, which is being organised by Community Pharmacy Scotland, took place in Golspie, Sutherland. Lucy Mitchell, pharmacist at Mitchell’s Chemist, showed Jamie Stone MSP (Lib Dem, Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross) how the minor ailment service works.

Mr Stone asked what issues he could raise on pharmacy’s behalf in future health debates at the Scottish Parliament. Ms Mitchell highlighted pharmacists’ need to access the appropriate parts of patients’ electronic health records, and called for further development of pharmacy’s public health role, such as national services for smoking cessation and emergency contraception.

Support and advice on arranging visits is available from CPS.