EXCLUSIVE

Boots has called on the sector to "embrace" the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee's (PSNC) approach to the fight against the planned government funding cuts.

PSNC responded to the announcement of a 6% cut to the global sum in England by calling on the government to commission a host of new pharmacy services, and Boots superintendent Marc Donovan said the sector should support this vision.

Community pharmacy needs to demonstrate that its services are “highly valued, highly impactful and can reduce the burden on a struggling NHS”, he told C+D in an exclusive interview last week (February 24).

"Helping the government realise that pharmacists can do more, particularly around minor ailments and other services, is something we need to do. The proposals by the PSNC sets that vision," he added.

Cuts make services difficult

However, Mr Donovan stressed it will be "difficult" to invest in services if the government piles "continual pressures" on the sector.

Boots recently introduced a new pharmacy advisor role, and Mr Donovan said it is not yet clear how the cuts will affect the multiple's pharmacy teams.

"We need to understand exactly what the government is trying to do. We haven’t made a decision on what those implications will [be] for Boots," he said.

The company continues to invest "very heavily” in its teams, and has "recently announced investment into independent prescribing for our pharmacists", Mr Donovan said. "This is part of where we see pharmacy going in the future,” he added.

Last month, Boots announced that it will cut between 300 and 350 managers across its biggest stores, alongside an hourly pay rise for 40,000 staff.

Do you back PSNC's clinical vision?

We want to hear your views, but please express them in the spirit of a constructive, professional debate. For more information about what this means, please click here to see our community principles and information