Pharmacy minister Alistair Burt may not have any influence over the extent of cuts to pharmacy funding, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has said.

The 6% cut to the global sum in England was probably "imposed by the Treasury", meaning Mr Burt does not have “an easy job on his hands” in managing the fallout, according to RPS English Pharmacy Board chair Sandra Gidley.

Mr Burt was “very genuine” and “very engaged” in a visit to RPS president Ash Soni’s pharmacy in Streatham, south London last week, which Ms Gidley also attended.

“It’s easy to be cynical about politicians, but [Mr Burt] is getting out and about and he is engaging with the sector,” she said.

“He asked a lot of searching questions… and he is trying very hard to establish the facts for himself. He would want to be known, I think, as the minister who improved pharmacy,” Ms Gidley told C+D.

Burt's view

Mr Burt said the visit “brought home” to him the “major role” pharmacists play in reducing pressure on the NHS.

“Efficiencies in the sector have to be made, but I know we do need high quality pharmacies right across the country. I’m determined to make sure we provide this in a reformed pharmacy sector,” he said.

Ms Gidley warned that community pharmacy needs to “make a case very quickly” to the government about what it can deliver, otherwise it could face further cuts.

“If we can make a good case for some of these [pharmacy] services, we might even be able to press for more money,” she said.

The RPS is meeting ministers to try to convince them to change their plans, and is working closely with other pharmacy bodies to fight back against the cuts, she added.
 

What else should pharmacy bodies do to engage the government?

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