Both the government and general practices have a “responsibility” to make it clear to people “why, under what circumstances, and how they need to use” pharmacies and NHS 111, a Conservative MP has said.

The UK “must” maintain the supply of medicines in Northern Ireland or “we’re going to see some pretty horrific consequences”, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chief executive Mark Lyonette has warned.

Community pharmacy leaders must “influence” Treasury officials if they do not want further cuts to sector funding, the former PSNC CEO Simon Dukes has advised. 

The European Commission has proposed some changes to the Northern Ireland protocol to ensure the long-term “uninterrupted security of supply of medicines” from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

A Deptford pharmacist has praised his pharmacy technician’s “heroic act”, after a patient reportedly attempted to self-harm inside the pharmacy.

Integrated Care System (ICS) chief pharmacists will be “crucial” to delivering the government’s revamped medicines optimisation programme, England’s outgoing chief pharmaceutical officer Keith Ridge has said.

Maria Caulfield has been appointed the minister with responsibility for patient safety and primary care, as Maggie Throup’s brief changes to cover vaccines and public health.

Maggie Throup has been appointed the new health minister with responsibility for primary care*, as former pharmacy minister Jo Churchill is moved to the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The total cost of COVID-19-related expenses pharmacy owners have claimed for is “significantly higher” than the £120 million cap the government had originally offered, PSNC has said.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DH) reportedly consulted with the community pharmacy sector on proposals for a "risk-sharing" model covering COVID-19 booster vaccinations, C+D can reveal.

NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I) has confirmed it is seeking a new chief pharmaceutical officer to replace Keith Ridge, who will retire from the role in February.

A Hampshire-based LPC is investigating its chair after claims of discriminatory and potentially racist behaviours were lodged by a member of the committee, C+D has learned.