In a letter expressing her support for the Sigma conference in Rio de Janeiro this week, Theresa May said she wants “to see a thriving community pharmacy service", and added that the government "is committed to achieving this”.

“Our package of [funding] reforms in England are designed to ensure we have a modern and efficient community pharmacy sector – properly integrated into primary care and public health [and] offering better patient choice and easier access,” Ms May said.

She also used her letter to praise the conference, organised by wholesalers Sigma, as an “annual opportunity for the UK retail and general pharmaceutical sector to come together”.

"I know that the event will not only showcase the contribution that you make to the UK economy and to the lives of many thousands of patients and customers, but also celebrate your achievements," she added.

The letter was read out by the event’s host, Pharmacy Voice chair Claire Ward, during the conference's opening session on Monday (February 13).

The full document can be viewed here.

Catch up with all the latest coverage from the Sigma conference in Rio with C+D's Storify here