Community pharmacy services

Petition against community pharmacy cuts close to 13,000 signatures

The government has responded to an online petition protesting against the proposed cuts to England’s community pharmacy contract. By 26 January 2016, the petition had attracted 12,940 signatures.…

Up to 3,000 pharmacies could close after government cuts, MPs warn

Between 1,000 and 3,000 pharmacies — as many as one in four — could close in England as a result of government cuts to funding for pharmacy, the All Party Pharmacy Group (APPG) has warned.…

Understanding pharmacy practice in the UK and beyond

‘Pharmacy practice 2nd edition’, by Geoffrey Harding and Kevin Taylor.…

Bestway sees Well pharmacies hit revenues of £583m

Bestway, the new owner of the Co-operative Pharmacy, released its financial results for 2015 showing turnover for its new division “slightly exceeded expectations”.…

Execution is key when it comes to centralised dispensing in community pharmacy

Proposals to amend legislation so that the playing field is levelled for all pharmacies to use centralised dispensing is the right move if pharmacists are to provide more clinical services.…

Regulator says curriculum for pharmacy technicians should focus on patient care

The curriculum used to train pharmacy technicians is out of date and needs to change to reflect the increased role they play in community and hospitals, according to a review commissioned by the General Pharmaceutical Council. …

Pharmacists in Northern Ireland to work in GP practices

Community pharmacists in Northern Ireland are to work alongside GPs in a multimillion scheme unveiled on 7 December 2015. …

Pharmacists in Scotland to have bigger role in reformed urgent care services

Community pharmacists in Scotland are being given an increased role in a reformed NHS out-of-hours service, following a Scottish government-commissioned independent review into urgent care.…

Medication barcoding system tested in Welsh care homes improves patient safety

A pilot project trialling a barcoding system for dispensed medicines administered in care homes in Wales has shown that the system saves staff time, improves patient safety and reduces medicines waste.…

Pharmacy e-referral system wins two categories in HSJ awards

A pharmacy e-referral system in Newcastle that links pharmacists in hospital with colleagues in the community has won national recognition and is already being rolled out across the region and to other parts of the country.…