The sector's role within the NHS will be strengthened in 2014 as pharmacists become recognised as care providers, pharmacy leaders have predicted.

Pharmacists will become more involved within an "integrated health and social care system", as set out in the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's (RPS) Now or Never report in November, RPS head of corporate communications Neal Patel told C+D.

Independent Pharmacy Federation chief executive Claire Ward said she hoped the vision outlined in the report would become a reality, with community pharmacy becoming "more integrated with primary care delivery" over the next 12 months.

Pharmacy will become "more integrated with primary care delivery", says Independent Pharmacy Federation chief Claire Ward	More on the future of pharmacy 3 things that will shape pharmacy's future NHS England calls on pharmacists to share thoughts on future of health system Pharmacy must 'punch its weight', warns NHS policy expert
	Numark managing director John D'Arcy said pharmacy needed to be "recognised as a service provider to the NHS" in 2014 and "accepted as a full-fledged member of the primary healthcare team".

However, he warned that it would be another challenging year for pharmacy, with funding and the "growing problem" of stock shortages remaining the key issues.

"The challenge continues to be to secure the proper funding to support the changing pharmacy model. At the same time, [pharmacy] will face a challenge getting funding to support the continuation of locally enhanced services, given that negotiations will be with new bodies against new criteria," he told C+D.

Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott said he expected leading local professional networks (LPNs) to start making an impact on the health sector and creating opportunities for "cost-effective commissioning" in community pharmacy.