ProfessionalService

Why England’s Pharmacy First sore throat service needs point-of-care testing

Over the past few years, there has been a sore throat test-and-treat service implemented in Wales and, more recently, in Northern Ireland, based on their pilots. In England, we still have a sore throat service that does not include a point-of-care test (POCT) component. Results from pilots in Nor…

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.…

Understanding scope of practice and accountability when prescribing

This article introduces the core components of professionalism for prescribing pharmacists and shows how these concepts can be used to enhance decision making and promote safe and effective prescribing practice.…

Evaluation report of community pharmacy clinical services delayed until spring 2025, says NHS England

Exclusive: NHS England said the delay is to avoid releasing an incomplete report, which could infer inaccurate suggestions relating to the pharmacy sector and damage patient confidence.…

Community pharmacy bodies call for funding support towards impending national insurance hike

Organisations have written to the chancellor over concerns that the planned employer national insurance contribution increase will hinder their ability to offer clinical services and support.…

Pharmacy professionals will be vital to the MHRA’s regulatory work in 2025

The chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reviews the successes of 2024 in medicine regulation and looks at where improvements can be made in the year ahead.…

Pharmacists may take collective action by end of January over contract delay, warns NPA

Pharmacies may begin to limit service provision in the wake of continued delays to community pharmacy contract negotiations, according to a statement released by the National Pharmacy Association.…

‘A wicked problem’: tackling variable access to urgent palliative care medicines

Despite national incentives and locally commissioned services designed to improve availability of critical end-of-life drugs from community pharmacies, access to urgent palliative care medicines remains a challenge.…

Government to ‘maximise’ Pharmacy First use as part of plan to tackle NHS waiting lists

Ear, nose and throat services will be one of five areas where targeted reforms will aim to move treatment from hospitals to the community.…

Community pharmacies form part of flu vaccination ‘mop-up’ programme

Flu vaccines are being offered at COVID-19 vaccination clinics, on weekends, and at pop-up clinics across Wales to tackle low uptake rates.…