Pharmacy leaders have issued a united defence of the Pharmacy First service after what they described as ‘sneering’ remarks from some GP representatives about pharmacists’ clinical skills.
In a joint letter published in The Times, the heads of five national pharmacy organisations condemned comments made in a letter circulated by regional representatives of the British Medical Association (BMA), which advised GPs not to refer patients to Pharmacy First.
The letter – sent to practices in the North East and North Cumbria – described the service as a way for ‘less-skilled people’ to see patients and warned it could ‘undermine’ general practice.
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The BMA has since confirmed that the communication was sent in error and does not reflect the union’s position. It said GPs should continue to signpost patients to community pharmacies and other NHS services where appropriate.
In their published response, the leaders of Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) criticised the tone of the letter and urged greater collaboration across primary care.
‘Sneering at other clinical professionals does nothing to solve the crisis in the NHS,’ they wrote.
‘The main purpose of the Pharmacy First service is to relieve pressure on GP appointments. It is designed so all clinical professionals can act at the top of their professional licence.
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‘That some GPs would rather block this than focus on helping patients to get the healthcare they need says something worrying about their understanding of the crisis facing the NHS.’
The letter was signed by Janet Morrison, chief executive of CPE; Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the CCA; Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the IPA; Henry Gregg, chief executive of the NPA; and Professor Claire Anderson, president of the RPS.
When approached for comment on the letter from the pharmacy bodies, the BMA pointed to its statement given earlier this month when the erroneous GP letter was sent.
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BMA council chair Dr Tom Dolphin and BMA GPs committee England chair Dr Katie Bramall had said: ‘We recognise both general practice and emergency medicine are at breaking point. But we remind practices that they operate within a wider healthcare system which needs to do more to support urgent unmet patient need.
‘Our advice remains that if capacity is reached, practices should signpost patients to NHS 111, their local Community Pharmacy – also under huge pressure – urgent care centres and walk-in centres. Emergency departments should only be attended when absolutely necessary.’
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