NHS Employers and PSNC begin discussions on new pharmacy services
NHS Employers and the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) have begun discussions to explore possible changes to the community pharmacy contractual framework.
This work will focus on the feasibility and development of new or improved pharmacy services, including reducing the waste of medicines, helping patients with long term conditions and extending pharmacist-led NHS minor ailment services based on need. This will allow patients to get the most value from their community pharmacies and will help develop pharmacy services, both clinical and existing core services, to deliver the Pharmacy in England white paper (1).
Felicity Cox, lead negotiator for NHS Employers community pharmacy team, former PCT Chief Executive and community pharmacist said:
“New or improved services could have the potential to transform UK pharmacies, helping patients to be more informed about their health generally and how medicines can help them manage their health better. It is our hope that our negotiations of the community pharmacy contract can lead to such changes and capitalise on the unique opportunities provided by pharmacies’ location on our high streets. We aim to conclude our negotiations with the PSNC by the end of 2009 and then will begin implementing any agreed changes after April 2010.”
Sue Sharpe, chief executive officer of PSNC said:
“This review will be vital in ensuring that the existing pharmacy contract meets the needs of the modern NHS. It provides an exciting opportunity to hasten the development of the new services set out in the White Paper, and to further demonstrate that community pharmacy is an integral part of primary care”.
NHS Employers and PSNC will be engaged in detailed negotiations over the next few months and consequently no further updates on the negotiations will be provided until the end of the year.
Notes: (1) Pharmacy in England, Building on strengths – delivering the future was published in April 2008 and can be viewed at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_083815.