EXCLUSIVE

The three largest multiples are split over whether NHS England’s funding for 250 pharmacists in GP practices is a recognition of the profession's value or a wasted opportunity.

The commissioning body committed £15 million to partially fund the clinical pharmacists in practices for three years and Boots UK chief pharmacist Marc Donovan told C+D that the multiple was “pleased to see recognition that pharmacists can do more than just dispense prescriptions”.

Community pharmacy needed to have "input" into the development of these roles, Mr Donovan stressed. As new models of care emerged, "it remains critically important that we continue to use the accessibility of the community pharmacy network", he added.

Lloydspharmacy parent company Celesio also welcomed NHS England's recognition that pharmacists “have the ability to alleviate pressures on the NHS”. “We are optimistic that the new roles will help to make the link between GPs and community pharmacy more joined up,” Celesio told C+D.

However the company was “disappointed” that the sector was still not receiving direct funding to develop its own resources. "It is important to recognise that the sector already has relationships with both GPs and patients and is ideally located within the heart of communities,” it added. 
 

A "wasted opportunity"

Well, formerly the Co-operative Pharmacy, was more outspoken in its criticism. Chief executive John Nuttall said the funding decision was “another missed opportunity by NHS England” because relieving over-burdened GPs “could be achieved by using the medicines expertise found in every community pharmacy in England”, he said.

It was important that “patients did not always have to attend their surgery to access NHS healthcare", Mr Nuttall stressed. The sector had "long been asking for NHS England to invest in services that will support patients in their existing community pharmacy", he added. 

“Pharmacists delivering minor ailments consultations or providing support services for those with long-term conditions would divert a significant number of patients from their GP surgery,” he added. “We are yet to hear from NHS England on when they will commission them nationally."

Last week, community pharmacists cautiously welcomed the funding news, with some questioning whether other areas should be funded first.