Pharmacy Voice has today (Wednesday 8th February) launched ‘Community Pharmacy: Our Prospectus for Better Health,’ which outlines a programme of change in community pharmacy for the next three years.
The Prospectus, which builds on last year’s ‘Blueprint for Better Health’, consists of four linked strategic themes: medicines optimisation, public health and pharmacy, quality outcomes and reforming the pharmacy framework, and collaboration with commissioners and clinical leaders.
Rob Darracott, Chief Executive of Pharmacy Voice said:
“The unifying idea in our Prospectus is for community pharmacy to take its destiny into its own hands, by setting a clear direction and striding resolutely in that direction, not waiting for someone else to tell us what to do. Before the year is out we will have a research strategy, an IT strategy and a clear statement of purpose for the pharmacy contract. These are matters that have in the past been done to the sector, not for the sector, and still less by the sector.
“There are some great ideas in pharmacy, and super developments like healthy living pharmacies. But there are too many shocks in the system and a gradual attrition in margin which is irreversible without profound changes to provide sustainability. Change is an absolute necessity, but it can’t be change for change’s sake. Last year’s Blueprint started the process of defining where we as a sector need to get to. The Prospectus outlines what we need to do to get there.”
The next step will be to engage pharmacy stakeholders to take forward specific streams of activity.
Pharmacy Voice chairman, Ian Facer, said:
“This is a call to action for pharmacy networks, representative associations and organisations at local, regional and national levels. All of us need to take responsibility, to create the future our profession and our patients deserve.”