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Figure 1: Contract woes continue
Read the stories here: We need to move on and get the best deal for community pharmacy, Government ‘will consider’ PSNC proposals for long-term condition management as part of pharmacy contract, Community pharmacy funding for 2018/2019 to be maintained at £2.59bn, PSNC announces, Community pharmacy funding agreed for 2018/2019 ‘effectively a cut’, says RPS
Figure 2: FMD confusion reigns
Read the stories here: One-year countdown to Falsified Medicines Directive, FMD regulations won’t apply after ‘no-deal’ Brexit, says MHRA
Figure 3: Viagra disappoints
Read the story here: Exclusive deal for Boots as sildenafil becomes P medicine
Figure 4: OTC restrictions introduced
Read the stories here: Some protections for vulnerable patients as NHS England rules out routine prescribing of common OTC products, Pharmacists force NHS rethink over cancellation of London-wide minor ailments scheme
Figure 5: Foundations to be fixed
Read the stories here: Common foundation programme to be introduced for all pharmacists, reveals CPhO, Bridging the gap: CPOs back foundation training plan
Figure 6: Errors decriminalised
Read the stories here: New legal defence against inadvertent dispensing errors comes into force, Superintendent and responsible pharmacist proposals delayed
Figure 9: Generic shortage crisis
Read the story here: Generic medicines ‘It went berserk’: Generic medicines chaos hits pharmacies hard
Figure 10: Election tension
Read the stories here: RPS chief executive ‘disappointed’ by some members’ behaviour during 2018 elections, English Pharmacy Board election 2018 results
Figure 11: Minister caught red-handed
Read the story here: Pharmacy Integration Fund used to bail out other parts of NHS
Figure 12: Dispensing dope
Read the stories here: Government to review medicinal use of cannabis, Medical cannabis will be available on prescription from 1 November 2018, UK government announces
Figure 13: Gosport failings
Read the story here: No evidence pharmacists challenged use of high-dose opioids, concludes review of 450 deaths
Figure 14: Boots defeated
Read the stories here: Arbitration body ends Boots-BPA deal, PDA urges Boots pharmacists to pledge support for legal action
Figure 15: Bye bye Jeremy
Read the stories here: Matt Hancock replaces Jeremy Hunt as health secretary, Health secretary pledges money for community pharmacies in first speech
Figure 17: Brexit battleground
Read the story here: Millions of patients could be affected by ‘no-deal’ Brexit medicines shortages, says MHRA chief
Figure 19: EpiPen rationing
Read the stories here: Pharmacists face continued EpiPen shortages, Parents advised to use out-of-date EpiPens, but call 999, as shortage continues, Stock levels sufficient for at least two adrenaline auto-injectors per prescription
Figure 20: Governance legislation stalls
Read the stories here: Superintendent and responsible pharmacist proposals delayed, Government launches double consultation on dispensing errors legislation and role of responsible and superintendent pharmacists
Figure 21: Big biologic switch
Read the stories here: Preparing for the big biologic switch, Most expensive NHS drug comes off patent, NHS England to save £300m after patent expiry of most costly drug
Figure 22: Flu jab shambles
Read the story here: Pharmacists turning patients away as flu vaccination supplies dwindle
Figure 23: Mind the gap
Read the stories here: Revealed: Female pharmacists may be underpaid by thousands of pounds each year, Survey reveals ‘concerning’ £8,000 per year ethnicity pay gap for UK pharmacists
Figure 24: Keep calm and carry on
What to look forward to in 2019
- Billed as the biggest IT medicines safety drive in the world, the Falsified Medicines Directive (FMD) is due to come into force on 9 February 2019, bringing with it changes to pharmacy workflows as well as extra costs. But it is unclear whether the UK will retain FMD after Brexit.
- The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March 2019, which could prompt medicines shortages on top of those already being experienced in both the community and hospitals.
- Those who already find it tricky to complete the General Pharmaceutical Council’s continuing professional development (CPD) demands should start preparing for increased requirements in 2019. Registrants will have to provide four CPD records as well as a peer discussion and a reflective review of their practice.
- Community pharmacy contract negotiations for England for 2019/2020 are due to begin in 2019. However, the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee has warned that the government does not want to pay more for pharmacy services.
- An extension of new legal defences for inadvertent prescribing errors to include hospital and other pharmacists will hopefully be introduced in March 2019, but with the legislation already delayed from December 2018, further delays are possible.
- On a more positive note, pharmacist and technician care home posts in England should come to fruition in 2019, as well as more pharmacists in GP surgeries.
- The first fully-funded independent prescribing course for community pharmacists in NHS Scotland will start in January 2019.
References
Infographic: Mark Watkinson
