MPs are launching a new inquiry to examine the
readiness of pharmacy services to capitalise on future
opportunities as the way in which healthcare is
delivered is changing.
The inquiry will also consider current challenges around funding,
workforce and the digital infrastructure. Planned developments
within the profession will enable future pharmacists to be
independent prescribers from day one of registration, giving them
a greater role within primary care teams.
The Committee will examine the status of pharmacy, focusing
on community, primary care and hospital services and how
they could best serve the future NHS.
Health and Social Care Committee Chair
said:
“It is clear that pharmacy has a central role to play in the
future of the NHS. With a greater focus on personalised and
patient-centred healthcare, we will be asking what more must be
done to make sure that the profession is in the best shape to
meet demand.
“Better use of the pharmacy workforce would reduce pressures on
general practice and hospitals. However, this will not happen
without a planned workforce with the funding, supervision and
training to support it.
“At the end of our inquiry, we will be making recommendations to
the government on what action needs to be taken to ensure
the potential of pharmacy is realised.”
ENDS
TERMS OF REFERENCE:
The Committee invites written submissions addressing any, or all,
of the following points. Evidence should be submitted by Thursday
6 July. Written evidence can be submitted here of no more than
3,000 words.
- What does the future of pharmacy look like and how can the
Government ensure this is realised?
- What are the challenges in pharmacy workforce recruitment,
training and retention, and how might these best be
addressed?
- To what extent are digital systems used in pharmacy
sufficiently interoperable with those in general practice and
hospitals?
- What innovations could have the biggest impact on pharmacy
services and why?
- To what extent are funding arrangements for community
pharmacy fit for purpose?
- What factors cause medicine shortages and how might these be
addressed in future?
- To what extent does community pharmacy have the resource and
capacity to realise the ambitions in DHSC's Primary Care Recovery
Plan?
- Are there the right number of community pharmacies in the
right places, and how can we ensure that is the case across the
country?
- To what extent are commissioning arrangements for community
pharmacy fit for purpose?
Further information:
The Committee’s Independent Expert Panel is
carrying out a separate evaluation of Government commitments in
the area of pharmacy.
