The new chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) believes community pharmacy can play a greater role in tackling respiratory illness – and in delivering preventative public health interventions more broadly.

Henry Gregg, who took up the post on 27 May, previously led high-profile public health campaigns as a director of external affairs at Asthma + Lung UK, resulting in planned legislation to ban cigarette sales for those born after 2009 and the restriction of smoking outside hospitals, schools and playgrounds.

Speaking at a recent introduction briefing with trade press, he highlighted the ‘huge opportunity’ for pharmacies to support respiratory care and reduce pressure on the NHS.

‘When I was working in respiratory, we pushed hard for the rollout of RSV vaccinations through community pharmacy,’ he explained. ‘Vaccinations are definitely an area where pharmacy could deliver more.’

He added: ‘We also did a pilot in the Isle of Wight, delivering asthma reviews in community pharmacies with inhaler technique checks. That cut hospitalisations by 30%.’

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Mr Gregg argued that community pharmacies are well placed to support NHS goals of shifting care closer to home, particularly for long-term conditions like asthma and COPD.

‘If you want to take the pressure off hospitals and GPs, pharmacies need to be part of that solution,’ he said.

‘But that work must be properly funded. We can’t keep asking pharmacies to do more for less.”

Mr Gregg also warned that many pharmacies are operating on a financial knife-edge.

‘Pharmacists are having to remortgage their houses, having to draw down their pension early, taking out loans from family, or using credit cards just to deliver the service,’ he explained.

‘I think a lot of the public would be really outraged to know just how close so many pharmacies are to closing.’

Strategic priorities for Mr Gregg’s leadership of the NPA include campaigning to close the £2.6bn funding gap in community pharmacy and strengthening support for members.

‘We’re still fighting hard on funding, but we’re also focused on what we can do in the meantime,’ he said.

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‘That includes supporting new services, whether private or NHS, particularly through Pharmacy First, as long as it’s fully funded.’

The new chief executive has already embarked on a series of pharmacy visits, spending two days a week on the road to meet members and hear directly from the frontline.

‘It’s vital that every member of the NPA understands and respects the realities our members face,’ he said.

‘I want us to be proud of who we represent and to reflect that in every decision we make.’

Mr Gregg emphasised that his vision for community pharmacy is rooted in ambition and respect.

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‘Pharmacy shouldn't be treated as a second-tier service or just a cost centre,’ he said.

‘It’s a cornerstone of primary care, and if we want a sustainable NHS, we need to start treating it like one.’

This month The Pharmacist also sat down with newly elected vice chair of the NPA and independent pharmacy contractor Sukhi Basra about what she hopes to achieve in her new leadership role and the support she believes the sector requires to ensure a more stable and clinically focused future.