The NPA, Independent Pharmacy Federation (IPF) and Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp) have joined forces to set out a vision for independent pharmacy. 

The three organisations were teaming up as part of an "ongoing and deepening collaboration" to create a manifesto that would set out the "overarching threats and opportunities for independents", the NPA announced.

A three-month consultation on the manifesto opened yesterday (March 19), during which pharmacists can comment on a range of questions, including what makes them special and what their greatest assets are.

The final report is expected to be published in time for the NPA conference in June.

"It will be an ambitious agenda that is entirely focused on independents and independent multiples, but the themes are likely to resonate across the whole sector" Mike Holden, NPA

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The manifesto was designed to "underpin the NPA's public policy programme for years to come", said NPA chief executive Mike Holden, and follows the organisation's announcement in January that it could limit its membership exclusively to independent pharmacists. "The manifesto will describe a vision for independent community pharmacy," Mr Holden said. "It will be an ambitious agenda that is entirely focused on independents and independent multiples, but the themes are likely to resonate across the whole sector."

Members of the three organisations can engage with the consultation at events across the UK, as well as surveys and discussions with the NPA board. Pharmacists can fill out the online consultation form, which also asks them to identify the biggest threat to independent pharmacies and what the NHS and regulators could do to help independent pharmacists deliver better patient care.

IPF chief executive Claire Ward said the consultation was an opportunity for independent pharmacists to understand the best way to work in the new NHS.

"By working across all three independent pharmacy bodies, we can harness the views, skills and passions of our members to construct a framework for the future that we can all unite around and campaign to implement," said Ms Ward.

The AIMp welcomed the chance to be "directly engaged" with the consultation process.

"We are anxious to ensure that this important policy development agenda is fully informed of the views of our sector", said AIMp chief executive Colin Baldwin.