This was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

The Welsh government has commissioned the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) to lead an independent review of the role of pharmacy professionals working in and for general practice in Wales. The announcement was made by Jeremy Miles MS, cabinet secretary for health and social care, at the ‘Pharmacy: delivering a healthier Wales‘ Conference, hosted by the RPS in Cardiff.

The review will examine how pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and wider pharmacy teams are currently working in and alongside general practice, and make evidence-based recommendations to maximise their impact in improving patient care, safety and outcomes.

RPS has appointed Ankish Patel as the expert lead author for the review. Ankish will work with the RPS Wales team and an expert steering group, bringing together pharmacy leaders from across Wales, external expertise and general practitioner representation appointed in collaboration with the Royal College of General Practitioners.

As part of the review, a series of engagement events open to all general practice pharmacy professionals in Wales will be advertised shortly, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to input and inform the work.

Speaking about his appointment, Ankish Patel said:

“I’m excited to take on this role and to work closely with the expert steering group, colleagues, and wider general practice teams. This review is a valuable opportunity to highlight the impact of the workforce, while also gathering insight from pharmacy across other sectors, the multidisciplinary team, and patients. Together, we can set out a clear vision for how pharmacy professionals in general practice can best support patients and the wider priorities of the NHS in Wales.”

Elen Jones, RPS director for Wales, said:

“This review is another important milestone on our journey to deliver the ambitions of Pharmacy: Delivering a Healthier Wales. Just as the review of clinical pharmacy services in NHS hospitals in Wales, undertaken by RPS has helped provide a blueprint for transforming clinical pharmacy services for patients in secondary care, this work will provide the evidence and recommendations needed to strengthen the role of pharmacy professionals working within general practice. It is a vital step towards ensuring pharmacy teams can deliver the very best care across all parts of the NHS in Wales.”

Dr Rowena Christmas, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said:

“Practice-based pharmacists, and increasingly pharmacy technicians, have continually proven to be important colleagues as our general practice teams serve their local communities. This review presents an important opportunity to gain insight and share best practice. I look forward to the opportunity to engage with the review, and I’m sure many of my GP colleagues will wish to do likewise.”

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