Pharmacy Voice (PV), which represents community pharmacy owners, has responded to the Department of Health’s Greater Choice and Control consultation.
Rob Darracott, Chief Executive of Pharmacy Voice, said:
“We want the Department of Health to acknowledge the role of pharmacy as providers of information to support management of long term conditions and self care. This would be consistent with the Public Health White Paper Healthy Lives, Healthy People, where community pharmacy was described as a “valuable and trusted public health resource.” Greater choice and control will only be effective if the public are fully aware of the range of healthcare providers and choices available to them. These extend well beyond the choice of GP or hospital.
“We know from recent NPA research that public awareness has not kept pace with the range of professional services introduced in community pharmacies. We need to ensure that the public are aware of the services on offer so that they can make informed and responsible choices about their health.”