Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Deferred
Paragraph: 82
Pharmacy's potential to improve healthcare access requires substantial public funding and support.
Conclusion
We have been encouraged to hear the enthusiasm within the pharmacy profession to deliver more patient facing care. However, the undoubted potential for pharmacy to improve access to health care, crucially including immunisations, and reduce pressure on general practice and other areas of the health system can only be realised with the right support and the right investment of public funding.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government details the charging structure for Pharmacy First consultations and prescription medications, and references a 2018 report on over-the-counter medication, instead of addressing the need for increased public funding and support for expanded pharmacy services.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
82
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
Accept. Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. As set out in the Government’s manifesto, we are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and to better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists. By 2026 all newly qualified pharmacists will have a prescribing qualification, with additional investment in upskilling the existing workforce to also become independent prescribers. NHS England is currently piloting how prescribing can work in community pharmacy in all ICBs, supporting a range of conditions. These pathfinders will then inform any future decisions about the service. The recent Darzi investigation flagged that there is a huge potential for a step change in the clinical role of pharmacists within the NHS. “Expanded community pharmacy services are likely to include greater treatment of common conditions and supporting active management of hypertension”. We have launched a 10 Year Health Plan to reform the NHS and make it fit for the future. The engagement on the Ten Year Health Plan provides opportunity for gathering ideas and evidence to shape future clinical service models in community pharmacy. The plan will set out a bold agenda to deliver on the three big shifts needed to move healthcare from hospital to the community, analogue to digital, sickness to prevention. This plan will be published in the Spring 2025.
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