The RPS in Wales manifesto asked political parties to “commit to improving patient care by investing in the growth and sustainability of pharmacy in Wales ahead of the 2021 election next May.

It outlined eight calls to action, including the acceleration and roll out of digital prescribing solutions across the country. Other changes include the development of pharmacist independent prescribing and the reduction of medication errors by giving pharmacists access to a shared electronic patient record.

The document also asked the future government to “embed the clinical capabilities of the pharmacy team across all NHS settings”, and “support a legal framework to allow community pharmacists to make professional decisions in the supply of medicines to patients during times of medicines shortages”.

It has also called on the current Welsh government to “ensure patients can access new and emerging technologies”, and invest in training the workforce.

In addition to this, the RPS outlined the need for greater wellbeing support for pharmacy teams and asked that “NHS funded wellbeing support” is made available for all pharmacists.

Pharmacy has “benefitted” from policies of current government

Suzanne Scott-Thomas, chair of the RPS Welsh pharmacy board said it is “vital that the recent challenges and learning of the pandemic are built upon”.

“While pharmacy has benefited from the policies of the current Welsh government over recent years, we must continue to outline a clear course of action to the future Welsh administration so that citizens are able to increasingly benefit from the skills and knowledge of the pharmacy team,” she added.