Elections in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to decide pharmacy’s ongoing role
In Scotland, the Conservative and Labour parties have pledged to develop the role of pharmacists in prescribing. Labour and the Liberal Democrats have promised to support pharmacies in tackling obesity and alcohol issues, while the Scottish National Party has said it will maintain free prescriptions.
In Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist Party said it would look to restore the community pharmacy minor ailments scheme and resolve contract negotiations, while the Social Democratic and Labour Party suggested a modest administrative charge on prescriptions for those able to afford it.
The Ulster Unionist Party said it was committed to maintaining free prescriptions while Sinn Fein promised an emphasis on public health spending.
Meanwhile, all four main parties in Wales have committed to reducing medicine waste, and Labour and Plaid Cymru have pledged to keep prescriptions free in the country.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Welsh Pharmacy Board said it was "exciting" to see all four political parties recognising pharmacy in their manifestos, but stressed that campaigning must continue beyond election day.
"For us, the political campaigning doesn't stop here," said Paul Gimson, RPS Wales director. "Working with politicians following the election will be [just] as important to ensure manifesto commitments for pharmacy services are acted upon."
He added: "Our members can play a key role in this by speaking to their local assembly members about the issues that matter to them."
For full details of Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland party manifestos on pharmacy, see C+D's election guide.
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