As the Independent Pharmacy Federation (IPF) relaunches, pharmacy is facing one of its most dramatic periods of change. Not only is the NHS undergoing a major shake-up, but industry leaders are calling for a new pharmacy contract in England and dispensing volumes are increasing at relentless speed. Add to this the pressures of a tough economic climate, and it's easy to see why pharmacists are questioning whether the changes are for the better. And in the midst of this turbulence, the IPF has chosen to undergo a shake-up of its own. Just last month, it introduced fees for members to help it strengthen its role as "the voice of the independent sector". But at a time of such uncertainty, what can the new IPF offer its members? "We're in a period of dramatic change, but the reality is that with all the changes going on [in the NHS], there's a huge opportunity for pharmacy to come to the fore," explains contractor Fin McCaul, who has been chairman of the organisation since its launch in 2006. "At a governmental level there's a much better understanding that there's a real opportunity for pharmacy to deliver – we have to find ways of ensuring independents are a part of that, and their views are taken into account." An independent view It's this need that made IPF chief executive Claire Ward decide to join the organisation last year. Talking to companies such as wholesaler Sigma in her previous incarnation as Labour MP under the last government, she saw a clear need for independent pharmacists to have a stronger voice. And while the IPF may share common aims with umbrella organisations for contractors such as Pharmacy Voice, Ms Ward stresses that the IPF's ability to exclusively represent independents "makes the difference". "The reason why we're relaunching and starting to grow in this new way is because independents don't feel there's anyone else representing their views at the moment," she tells C+D. And with the advent of a new NHS, it seems the independent sector can't afford to sit back. The sector is now facing fresh worries it will be overlooked as clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) – mainly comprised of GPs – will make decisions over local services. "A key concern is that in some areas, CCGs may not see the value of pharmacy, because there's no guarantee at the moment that pharmacy will be a part of that commissioning process," Ms Ward says. "One of the things we need to do is help raise awareness of pharmacy amongst the decision-makers, because independent pharmacy can deliver much more than it's currently doing." It's a sentiment that many will agree with, but can NHS reforms really instigate a wider offering for independent pharmacy? Or could they simply endanger the sector further? While the IPF publicly called for "better scrutiny" of the health bill, Mr McCaul also sees the new NHS as a potential opportunity. "The reality is it will be a minefield out there, but where we are at the minute is also a minefield," he argues. "We've got very varied opportunities for engaging with PCTs – there are some where there's great collaboration and a huge number of services, but some where they aren't aware of our existence." "If we can now engage at a national level and a governmental level, then we stand a much greater chance of recognition," Mr McCaul stresses. It's true pharmacy has been calling for nationally commissioned services for some time. And there has been good news on this front. England's new medicine service (NMS) was commissioned at a time when there was "very little new money" for health services, Ms Ward points out. But while the profession has undoubtedly welcomed extra income, there are concerns over how pharmacists can juggle dispensing volumes with services. It's a problem Mr McCaul is clearly familiar with. "I totally understand and that's the reality of the environment we work in," he acknowledges. "That frustration and anger [from contractors] comes from a period of change, and it's all part of what we're going through." But while the transition may be challenging, Mr McCaul believes the end result will see independents in a much more positive situation than the current one. "The system is broken. We're struggling to deliver a quality service with the dispensing volume we're doing, and we're underpaid for that service," he says. "But we've also got to realise that volume is going to increase further, rather than decrease." Mending the system For Mr McCaul, the solution lies not just in contractual changes, but also within pharmacy teams. "We need to put in place systems and training that will enable us to make more use of staff, and free up time for pharmacists," he advises. "Some places have done that, and done that successfully, but they're few and far between. We need to get the whole team to deliver this." And the IPF believes independents are better placed to cope with this new environment than others. "Historically, if you look at the developments that have happened within pharmacy, a lot of the innovation has initially come from the independent sector," Mr McCaul highlights. "There will be a very good future for independent pharmacy, especially now in this period of change because we will adapt to that the quickest, and actually the multiples will take longer to change how they operate." And while the environment may be uncertain, the unique selling point of independents will always remain, Ms Ward argues. And she would "definitely" still encourage people to enter the sector. "Independents have that relationship with patients that Boots and Lloydspharmacy don't, simply because patients know that person is committed to the business and they're not going to be moving around," she explains. "Independent contractors have probably been in that area for 20 or 30 years, so it's a very different relationship than with a multiple." This will be integral to the sector's future success, Ms Ward adds: "We're looking at pharmacy becoming a much more central part of the community so when people have a problem, the first place they go is to their pharmacist, not their GP. In a sense that's where pharmacy used to be, but it's perhaps lost understanding from a lot of the public, and we need to get back to that." This relationship, after all, was what made Mr McCaul decide to get into independent pharmacy. "I now see the grandchildren of people I used to serve in my pharmacy," he explains. "It's that personal aspect that really matters." So amid economic doom and gloom, it's clear the IPF can see a light at the end of the tunnel for independent pharmacy. It does deem England's current pharmacy contract "broken", acknowledges the difficulties in juggling workload, and understands worries over NHS reforms. But while there may be tough times ahead, the organisation sees a "very good future" for independents. And as Mr McCaul concludes, a degree of change is necessary, "otherwise pharmacy can never deliver a quality service".
IPF Q&A
When did the IPF relaunch? The IPF officially relaunched at the Pharmacy Show last month. The organisation's existing members will now need to pay fees to continue their membership; it wants to convert all 1,200 "and more" into subscribing members. How much will members pay? Independent contractors can continue their membership for £10 a month. Pharmacists outside the independent sector can join as associate members for £20 a year, which will enable them to participate in forums and network with full members. What will I get for my money? The fees will enable the IPF to cover its expenses and fully represent the pharmacy sector, lobbying on what it sees as key topics: NHS reforms, the payment system and pharmacy contract. Member forums will feed their opinions to the IPF.
Tips for your CPD entry on NHS reforms
Reflect Do I understand how the NHS reforms could affect my pharmacy business? Plan Use information and resources at chemistanddruggist.co.uk/nhs- reforms and sources such as the DH to consider how the reforms could affect my business. Act Consider how I can reduce the risks and capitalise on the opportunities presented to my business by the NHS reforms. Evaluate Is my business better able to cope with the possible effects of the NHS reforms?
Video: The IPF's Fin McCaul and Claire Ward spoke to Emma Weinbren about their plans for the organisation
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