Andy Cowper

Andy Cowper is editor of Health Policy Insight

A 2.8% pay uplift recommendation reflects a tough economy for everyone

In this month’s health policy column, Andy Cowper warns that high gilts and low growth may mean pay parsimony for pharmacists, but questions whether more NHS strikes would have public backing.…

Patient communication will be essential for successful collective action

In this month’s health policy column, Andy Cowper outlines how pharmacies participating in the National Pharmacy Association’s advisory collective action can make their point to the government while keeping patients on side.…

Unsafe online pharmacies serve as a warning in the move to a ‘digital first’ NHS

In this month’s health policy column, Andy Cowper looks at regulators’ long history of trying to ensure safe access to medicines online, considering the implications for medicine shortages.…

How will we generate the new generation of prescribing pharmacists?

The Pharmaceutical Journal’s health policy columnist looks at how, in practice, new cohorts of prescribing pharmacists can be taught and supervised.…

Will the government’s apparent NHS reset address pharmacy’s important issues?

This month’s health policy column questions whether the new health secretary’s NHS reform plans will address both the accessibility and appropriateness of the medicines patients take.…

The 2024 general election manifestos are lacking on ambitions for pharmacy

This month, our health policy columnist looks at where pharmacy stands in each of the major political party manifestos.…

To DPP or not to DPP: who trains the trainers?

The Pharmaceutical Journal’s health policy columnist considers the value of incentivising designated prescribing practitioners to supervise trainee pharmacists from 2025.…

‘Managing your service’ when the IT does not work

This month, our health policy columnist reflects on the IT issues surrounding the roll out of the Pharmacy First service in England.…

Early days of Pharmacy First highlight three things we should study

This month, our health policy columnist examines the teething problems thrown up in the first few weeks of the Pharmacy First service.…

Demand, meet supply?

This month, our health policy columnist responds to national headlines highlighting the persistent issue with medicine shortages.…