Health Committee publishes pharmacy report

This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.  The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has welcomed a new report by the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee, following its inquiry into pharmacy. We engaged extensively with the Committee throughout the process, submitting written evidence, attending a roundtable event, and giving evidence in person at a public hearing. RPS director for England James Davies gave evidence to the Committee in November 2023 and highlighted key issues around workforce planning, wellbeing and protected learning time, investment in pharmacy students through the Learning Support Fund, medicines shortages, and interoperable patient records. The Committee has subsequently made a number of recommendations, addressing many RPS key policy asks: Reviewing the effectiveness of Serious Shortage Protocols Enabling pharmacists in community settings to make substitutions to help manage medicines shortages An independent review of the medicines supply chain Further development of clinical services in community pharmacy settings Provision of HIV-prevention medication PrEP through community pharmacy Interoperable read/write access to patient records in community pharmacy Reform of the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework Enabling pharmacy students to access the Learning Support Fund Ensuring that all pharmacists have adequate access to supervision, training, and protected learning time, along with clear structures for professional career development An independent review of hospital medicines management. Tase Oputu, RPS England Chair, said: “Today’s report acknowledges the vital role of pharmacists and pharmacy teams across the whole health service and also sets out some key challenges that need to be addressed urgently. “Our evidence to the Committee highlighted RPS key campaign issues around workforce planning, wellbeing and protected learning time, investment in pharmacy students through the Learning Support Fund and much-needed investment in IT and interoperable patient records. “While we have seen some welcome progress towards advancing the clinical role of pharmacists in the NHS, the report shows there is still more to do to make the most of the growing number of pharmacist prescribers. “The Committee has rightly recognised the growing impact of medicines shortages on patient care and the widespread support for reform. Our investigation into medicines shortages will report on this later in the year. “Whoever wins the general election, this report sets out clear priorities for pharmacy and there’s no doubt the next government must act on today’s recommendations and put improving patient care at the heart of its agenda.” Read the full report. Watch Davies giving evidence to the Committee below. https://youtu.be/W6380iUDjcY Davies also talks about expanding the role of pharmacists beyond hospitals. He mentions the future integration of prescribing skills for all newly qualified pharmacists starting in 2026, making best use of the skill mix within the entire pharmacy team, and exploring opportunities in clinical trials and the life science sector. Watch below. https://youtu.be/ByY2hIblKGg Watch the committee session Read our written evidence to the committee. Support pharmacy in the general election by sharing our manifesto. Read more RCPharm news stories.