Community pharmacy

Community pharmacist independent prescribers increased by one-third from 2023 to 2024, workforce survey shows

Despite the increase in qualified pharmacist independent prescribers, NHS England's survey reported regional variation in the number of them using their prescribing qualification in practice.…

Pharmacists urged to report heat-related disruption as UK heatwave set to return

A report from the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change highlighted the number of overheating incidents in NHS sites nearly doubled from 2,980 in 2016/2017 to 5,554 in 2021/2022.…

Hospice UK calls for national standard in community pharmacy palliative care

The report has also identified opportunities to “strengthen education and training in palliative care and bereavement support for rural pharmacists”.…

Invitations, leaflets and animations could improve engagement with structured medication reviews

Half of primary care network teams surveyed by the Health Information Network said that patient-facing resources helped patients prepare for structured medication reviews.…

Pharmacy First uptake ‘not what we would like it to be’, says minister

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock said that the government will work to reform the financial arrangements for Pharmacy First to incentivise pharmacists to embrace the scheme.…

Pharmacists recognised in King’s Birthday Honours

A London-based community pharmacist and a former head of pharmacy and medicines management at the Western Health and Social Care Trust have been recognised for their services to pharmacy.…

Community pharmacies in 2024/2025 administered highest number of flu vaccinations outside of pandemic

Of the 4 million flu vaccinations delivered by community pharmacies in England during the 2024/2025 flu season, data show that 11% were administered in the most deprived areas.…

UK government says it does not support safe drug consumption rooms

Speaking at a House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry into the Glasgow safe drug consumption facility, the minister for policing and crime prevention said the Westminster government would “not be amending the Misuse of Drugs Act”.…

Walk-in flu vaccine finder for community pharmacy to be launched for 2025/2026 flu season

NHS England said the “flu walk-in finder” was developed in response to patient feedback that complained of restrictions to the national booking service and a lack of information on clinic times.…

Body cameras used by staff in one in five Boots stores

The rollout of body camera technology across Boots pharmacy locations is aimed to make staff safer in response to increasing incidents of violence and aggression from customers.…