Pharmacy encouraged to play greater clinical role
pharmafile | November 9, 2007 | News story | |Â Â hc, primaryÂ
The role of pharmacists as frontline NHS clinicians is being promoted by the work of a key committee.
The government wants to see pharmacy play a greater role in providing services, and will renew the push behind pharmacy through a new white paper and Lord Darzi's strategic review.
Lloydspharmacy director Andy Murdoch has been selected to sit on the advisory board put together by Lord Darzi as he builds a future strategy for primary and community care.
At the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee annual conference, health minister Dawn Primarillo said: "It will be crucial that, as these developments take place in that [Lord Darzi's] review, pharmacy's voice is heard in the deliberations ahead."
The government is convinced that community pharmacists with a license to advise and prescribe drugs to NHS customers can free up the time of GPs, who can then concentrate on other clinical roles.
Pharmacists are also being urged to play a part in Practice-based Commissioning, and could be commissioned by general practices to provide services traditionally associated with GPs.
"Pharmacy must be positioned within PBC frameworks so that it can contribute effectively and authoritatively," said Ms Primarolo.
The appointment of Andy Murdoch was not listed in the initial list of advisory board members that includes GPs, community nurses and other health and care professionals.
His place could now even be bolstered by a pharmacy reference group, according to ministers.
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