The CCA was interviewed as part of think-tank Reform’s report on primary care reform.
It notes that:
- Elevating the role of community pharmacists is long overdue if the longstanding ambition to shift care out of hospital and into the community is to be achieved.
- Pharmacies can become the first port of call for the large volume of patients who present with straightforward symptoms that can effectively be managed in one consultation. Reform note the overall ambition for community pharmacy
Entitled ‘Prescription for Prevention: a new model of primary care’, the report is part of Reform’s ‘Reimagining Health’ work stream.
Company Chemists’ Association Chief Executive Malcolm Harrison said:
“We’re delighted to have been given the opportunity to contribute to this timely report on primary care reform by Reform.
The report rightly calls for the role of pharmacists to be elevated if the NHS is to successfully achieve the ambition of shifting care out of the hospital and into the community.
Reform’s report also notes that pharmacies can become the first port of call for many common ailments and the management of long-term conditions.
The Pharmacy First scheme has delivered impressive benefits for patients and the NHS in just a matter of months. Now is the time for policymakers to turbocharge the service through greater promotion and action to drive referrals.
Community pharmacies can of course deliver even more preventative care, but the sector urgently needs an uplift in funding to stave off the threat of further pharmacy closures”.