Earl Howe says pharmacy role is essential
Pharmacists need to be used more if the changes outlined in the NHS white paper are to be successful, pharmacy minister Earl Howe said last night.
Speaking at the launch of the report of an inquiry into engagement and the NHS white paper, Liberating the NHS, Earl Howe said pharmacies had an important role to play in providing education to patients.
He said: “Pharmacies have a role to play, they are already doing a fantastic job and that role will remain of high importance.”
“Millions of people visit pharmacy every day and that gives pharmacists a golden opportunity to provide those healthy education choices to patients,” he added.
The inquiry into the NHS white paper was held by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Primary Care and Public Health and concluded that engagement with patients and health professionals needed to intensify to realise the benefits outlined in the policy document.
Responding to a question at the inquiry launch about how GPs would be able to cope with the burden that the changes the white paper would bring, Earl Howe responded: “The load can be spread using other health professionals, including pharmacists, to reach these aims.”
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