PSNC Reiterates Need for GPs and Pharmacists to Work Together
The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) announced at this year's Pharmacy Show in Birmingham that it will be taking steps to further encourage the interaction between GPs and pharmacists.
The Role of Pharmacists
The PSNC firmly believes that pharmacy is a real solution to the workload pressures facing GP practices up and down the country. PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe made a clear statement at the Pharmacy Show that pharmacy is ready to help and should be seen as a reassuring resource for a primary care system under strain.
The call from the PSNC for further collaboration between pharmacists and GPs comes amongst multiple problems facing the pharmacy sector, including cuts to funding, such as the category M reductions which are due to come into effect on 1 November 2017, and the generics medicine supply shortages on which the PSNC has written to pharmacy minister Steve Brine seeking urgent intervention.
John Zucker, Consultant at VWV, comments that, "As a regular attendee at the Pharmacy Show each year, it is positive to see key sector groups such as the PSNC use this forum to push for greater collaboration. This is especially poignant when the offer by pharmacy to help an overburdened primary care sector comes at the same time as the pharmacy sector faces its own significant challenges. Collaboration is key and community pharmacy plays a crucial and fundamental role in keeping our NHS on track and ensuring patients are given the quality of care they need and deserve."