The Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has revealed that community pharmacists in the north of England believe “some major employers are not interested in upskilling staff”.
There is a “lack of protected learning time when compared with NHS pharmacists”, members told the PDA’s northern England regional committee.
They added that “many” community pharmacists are having to “use their annual leave entitlement and fund their own studies for independent prescribing (IP) courses”, the trade union reported last week (November 12).
Read more: NHSE to pilot ‘early career pathway’ for newly registered IPs
Members said they “felt that some major employers are not interested in upskilling staff, which could provide income opportunities if used for providing clinic appointments”, according to the PDA.
And they also queried whether locums with IP qualifications “would be hired over those without”, it added.
While it remains unclear who these “major employers” are, the PDA yesterday (November 17) told C+D that it reflects growing concerns from some non-IP pharmacists that they are not being supported.
“Game-changer”
It comes after Boots’ director of pharmacy growth revealed at the Pharmacy Show last month that the chain’s “ambition” is to have IPs at “all of [its] stores”.
“We know that having IPs in all of our stores will be a game-changer, both for the NHS and for patients,” Shezad Alimahomed said at the time.
Independent prescribing is a “key area” that Boots sees “huge potential” in, he added, noting that the pharmacy chain has “invested significantly” in training its pharmacists to become IPs.
Read more: NHSE to ‘consult’ with CPE on national prescribing service
Meanwhile, an NHS England (NHSE) official revealed earlier this month that it will pilot an early careers pathway next year to onboard newly registered pharmacists as they join the workforce with prescribing qualifications.
And NHSE last month announced that discussions with Community Pharmacy England (CPE) about a “national service” for community pharmacy prescribing will begin next April.
The body also last month instructed integrated care boards (ICBs) to introduce prescribing services in pharmacies next year.
