Pharmacies to gain prescribing powers
Pharmacists are to be allowed to provide some services traditionally reserved for GPs, the government has announced.
The measure is part of a drive to improve access to healthcare.
Under the plans, more local pharmacies will gain powers to prescribe certain common medicines.
The government says this will save every GP the equivalent of around one hour per day, adding up to some 57 million GP consultations a year.
Pharmacists will also be able to screen for vascular disease and certain sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, as well as providing for long-term conditions including diabetes.
The plans were outlined today in the government’s white paper Building on Strengths, Delivering the Future.
The Department of Health will appoint two new pharmacist clinical directors who will champion change in hospitals and in the community.
Health minister Ben Bradshaw said the plans would see pharmacists complementing the work of GPs rather than taking it over.
“A pharmacy isn’t just a place where you go to pick up a prescription. It’s a service, staffed by health professionals who are capable of dealing with minor ailments, screening for diseases and giving health advice to the local community,” he added.
“As 99 per cent of the population can get to a pharmacy within 20 minutes, everyone will benefit from more types of treatment available through local pharmacies who can prescribe more, advise more and deal with more.”
But shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said the government had made the same promises three years ago.
“But Labour have dithered and it hasn’t happened. Now they’re trying to package the very same proposals as a new announcement,” he said.
“The government’s failed new pharmacy contract has led to a boom and bust situation for pharmacies. Many pharmacists who have invested since 2005 in the opportunities to deliver more services have been let down.”
The British Medical Association (BMA) has welcomed the white paper.
“We believe the overall management of patients with long term conditions is best done within general practice but pharmacists have a role to play in supporting patients in their use of medicines,” said Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the BMA’s GPs Committee.
“In general we are in favour of the idea of pharmacists being commissioned to help improve health outcomes.”
A series of public consultations will be hosted by the government to discuss the plans.
