'Pharmacy supervision plans are more radical than necessary'
John D’Arcy explains why Numark is requesting feedback from its members on how pharmacy supervision legislation should be amended
I read with interest that the Department of Health intends to consult with the public on the ongoing pharmacy supervision issue. Community Pharmacy Scotland is calling for flexibility, promoting the safe supply of medicines. While I accept the need for further debate, some clarity is urgently needed to allow us to understand the currently opaque expectations of the intention to change the supervisory framework.
It is very clear that the government intends to make better use of the skills of pharmacy technicians to help free up time to allow pharmacist to play a much wider role in healthcare, both within the community setting and in secondary care.
What isn’t clear is how this is likely to manifest, and what the implications to the existing workforce infrastructure and responsibilities are likely to be.
For me, there is a need for the better use of pharmacy teams, but not with the intention to divert the burden of responsibility or make the existing dispensing model redundant. The objective should be to facilitate a much more collaborative approach to patient care that plays firmly into the skills of the entire pharmacy team.
There is no getting away from the need to ‘flex’ supervision – the current interpretation is arguably both short-sighted and outdated.
At present, the controversial plans (you can read them in detail here) can’t naturally facilitate a transition where supervision is wholly divested. They are more radical than is necessary or acceptable. A more sensible and progressive approach would be favourable. This would support pharmacy teams to adjust to new roles and responsibilities, acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver in an increasingly responsible role.
The fact is pharmacy is being asked to do more for less. Whether you agree with relaxed supervision or not, we cannot maintain the status quo. Pharmacy will endeavour to fight funding cuts, take advantage of claw backs and get a fair package of remuneration. But we need to do all we can to drive efficiencies in the sector, as a means of creating the headroom to manage ever-increasing prescription volume and raft of additional roles coming our way.
Over the next few weeks, Numark will solicit feedback from our members on creating headroom in the pharmacy. Supervision will be one of the areas we will seek their views on, to inform and support our strategy for members going forwards.
John D'Arcy is managing director of pharmacy support services provider Numark