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Ten tips for providing effective diabetes reviews ... atients, particularly where patients are motivated to make significant dietary changes. For those based in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, similar programmes are being adopted so it is worth checking whether it is available in your area. As part of the referral process, you need to determine whether any existing diabetes or blood pressure medicines need to be stopped when the diet begins – since the inte ... Date: 30-05-2025 Categories: • Clinical • Diabetes and endocrinology • In Practice
Northern Ireland pharmacies to receive funding for National Insurance hike Community pharmacies in Northern Ireland will receive funding towards the cost of employer National Insurance Contribution (NIC) increases, Stormont announced last week. But while the funding has been welcomed, the National Pharmacy Asso ... Date: 19-05-2025 Categories: • Community • News
New NPA chair sets out a change in tactics ... community pharmacy as well as into pharmacy ownership. Also at the Sigma conference this week, the chief pharmaceutical officers (CPhOs) for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland discussed how to enable joined-up care for patients whose long-term conditions are being managed by community pharmacist prescribers in the future. And in a letter presented at the conference, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer prais ... Date: 16-05-2025 Categories: • Community • News
CPhOs quizzed on patient registration for pharmacist prescribers ... , chief pharmaceutical officer (CPhO) for England David Webb has suggested. Speaking via live video link to the Sigma Conference 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the three CPhOs for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland were asked whether they thought requiring patients to register with a pharmacist, as they do with a GP, would help 'ensure that there is a job role' for community pharmacist independent prescribers. ... Date: 13-05-2025 Categories: • Cardiovascular • Clinical • Community • Diabetes and endocrinology • In Practice • News
Hub and spoke changes expected to come into force in October ... e the House of Commons on Tuesday 29 April. Both houses of parliament (Lords and Commons) will now need to actively approve the legislation before it can be signed into law, as will the Northern Ireland Assembly. The last time this type of process was not approved was more than 40 years ago. Date: 30-04-2025 Categories: • Community • News
Recognition that NI GP pharmacist pay 'does not fully align' with AfC GP federations in Northern Ireland have recognised a pay discrepancy between clinical staff employed by hospital trusts and pharmacists employed by the federations. And both the GP federations and the Pharmacists' Defence Associati ... Date: 23-04-2025 Categories: • In Practice • News
UKHSA warns of worrying rises in infectious diseases since Covid pandemic ... K on track to lose its World Health Organization (WHO) low incidence status, officials warned. The UKHSA also published separate figures showing imported cases of dengue in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have reached a record high. In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers, up from 631 in 2023. While seasonal respiratory viruses continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortal ... Date: 11-04-2025 Categories: • Clinical • Respiratory • Vaccinations and infections
Millions could save on prescriptions using a pre-payment certificate, suggests NHSBSA ... consequences of this, with people skipping essential treatment, leading to worse health outcomes and additional pressure on the NHS. 'Prescriptions are already free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It’s time for England to follow suit and remove this unfair barrier to accessing medicines,' she said. Date: 08-04-2025 Categories: • Community • News
RPS to become Royal College of Pharmacy after member vote ... enness and mutual understanding so we are able to reap the considerable benefits for all those working in pharmacy and for patients and our communities,' the chief pharmaceutical officers for Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England urged. Date: 26-03-2025 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
CPhOs add voice to royal college debate as RPS responds to PDA concerns A royal college would be 'the optimum vehicle for the realisation of everyone’s ambitions for pharmacy', the chief pharmaceutical officers (CPhOs) for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have said in a joint statement. It comes as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has responded to the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA)'s objections to its plan to become a royal ... Date: 11-03-2025 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
Alcohol-related deaths reach record high in the UK ... t from the ONS showed that rates of deaths that were wholly attributable to alcohol increased in both England and Wales (15.0 and 17.7 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively). But in Scotland and Northern Ireland – which continue to have the highest rates of alcohol specific deaths – rates plateaued and fell to 22.6 and 18.5 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively. Historically, Scotland has faced higher r ... Date: 06-02-2025 Categories: • Cardiovascular • Clinical • Mental health and addiction
Pharmacy closures: Warning over 'serious, unintended consequences' on patients ... in our ballot – now’s the time to come up with a sensible settlement and a clear roadmap to the reform we all want to see.' In an advisory ballot run by the NPA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland late last year, some 99% of participating pharmacy owners said they were willing to limit their services unless funding is improved. This week, the NPA outlined five key 'tests' the government must meet in its ... Date: 17-01-2025 Categories: • Community • News • Pharmacy closures
Pharmacy contract offer must meet five 'tests', says NPA ... rt reducing their services in order to protect patients and ensure there is a viable pharmacy network fit for the future.' In an advisory ballot run by the NPA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland late last year, some 99% of participating pharmacy owners said they were willing to limit their services unless funding is improved. Gordon Hockey, CPE director of legal, confirmed to The Pharmacist that until a ... Date: 15-01-2025 Categories: • Community • News
NPA ramps up collective action threat as pharmacy contract delays continue ... hdraw vital services from patients as a form of collective action, but we may be left with little choice unless things improve,' he said. In an advisory ballot run by the NPA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland late last year, some 99% of participating pharmacy owners said they were willing to limit their services unless funding is improved. Mr Kaye called on the government to 'get around the table as so ... Date: 08-01-2025 Categories: • Community • News
New Year Honours for community pharmacist and PAGB chief ... ng availability of OTC medicines and supporting consumer healthcare'. PAGB added that Ms Riddalls 'diligently supported the government during Brexit' particularly around medicines supply issues in Northern Ireland, and 'ensured continued access to OTC medicines in NI post-Brexit'. And it said she had supported PAGB members and major retailers to navigate post-Brexit regulatory complexities. Ms Riddalls a ... Date: 02-01-2025 Categories: • Community • News
Paul Rees: ‘I’m hoping that justice will be done’ ... all my visits to community pharmacies, I've been bowled over by just how friendly and kind people are. I've been greeted by people really positively in England, in Wales, in Scotland, in Northern Ireland. ‘It's a great sector, and it deserves a fair deal.’ 'Community pharmacy is not treated with respect' Underfunding of the sector is a major theme Mr Rees said he has noted since joining the sector in Novemb ... Date: 23-12-2024 Categories: • Community • Interviews • News
Pharmacist views sought on sustainable use of medicines Pharmacists, stakeholders and members of the public have been urged to inform a new consultation on the sustainable and cost-effective use of medicines in Northern Ireland. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland is looking to build a strategy on the sustainable use of medicines in the country and is seeking views on a set of proposals aimed at supporting impro ... Date: 13-12-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
Uber offers free rides and meals with NHS email address ... hristmas Day, as well as a £10 Uber Eats voucher for a meal or grocery delivery, also to be used on on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. NHS staff, and Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland, must ensure their Uber account is linked to their official NHS email address by midnight on 20 December. Eligible users will receive a promo code via email to redeem for rides and Uber Eats on 24 and 25 Decemb ... Date: 10-12-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
Rising cases of mosquito-borne infections prompts warning to UK travellers ... malaria-related deaths were reported in the UK in 2023. Dengue cases three times higher than last year Meanwhile, 473 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between January and June 2024 - more than three times the 157 reported in the same period in 2023. In March this year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended a dengu ... Date: 03-12-2024 Categories: • Clinical • Community • News • Vaccinations and infections
Study shows benefits of pharmacy sore throat service over GP consultation ... possible re-consultations within 28 days, this reduces to 12 antibiotic prescriptions saved. The publishing of the study’s findings follow the announcement of a winter preparedness plan in Northern Ireland that will see the provision of a Pharmacy First sore throat service available from 1 December. Accessible to everyone aged five and over, the service will offer advice, clinical assessment and treatment ... Date: 22-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News • Pharmacy First
UK CPhOs issue advice to pharmacists on assisted dying debate ... exercise freedom of conscience. The advice was signed by, CPhO for England, David Webb; CPhO for Wales, Andrew Evans; CPhO for Scotland, Alison Strath; CPhO for Northern Ireland, Cathy Harrison; senior professional advisor for pharmacy technician practice at NHS England, Elizabeth Fidler; and deputy CPhO for England, Richard Cattell. RPS Scotland calls for clarity over pharmacists’ role in assisted dying ... Date: 21-11-2024 Categories: • Clinical • Community • In Practice • News
Paul Rees to leave NPA for nursing regulator ... whirlwind', with Mr Rees doing 'a great job' of establishing changes at the NPA. During Mr Rees' tenure, the NPA has delivered two 'days of action' and balloted its members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with the majority voting in favour of collective action from January. Mr Kaye said that he wished Mr Rees all the best, and assured pharmacists that he wasn't worried that the team would not be able ... Date: 18-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News
Northern Ireland's pharmacists to meet with minister after vote to reduce services A delegation of community pharmacists is set to meet with the UK Government's minister for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson, next month to discuss rising financial challenges facing the sector. The group will be led by Ulster Unionist Party peer Lord Rogan who said local pharmacies had been dispensing a ... Date: 15-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News
Pharmacy owners vote overwhelmingly in favour of collective action Pharmacy owners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted in favour of taking collective action, according to a ballot carried out by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA). Some 99% of participating pharmacy owners said they were willing to ... Date: 14-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News
CPhO 'optimistic' about opportunities for community pharmacy ... course can be enabled through community pharmacy, from from birth all the way through the different phases of of our lives. And so I'm really sort of optimistic,' Mr Webb said. However, he echoed Northern Ireland CPhO Cathy Harrison's concerns that adequate resourcing for such services was 'very important'. Ms Harrison had previously said that in Northern Ireland, shifting care towards the community had no ... Date: 11-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News
‘Historic’ legislation to ban smoking laid in Parliament ... are children and young adults. The new legislation will allow the government to introduce a licensing scheme to sell tobacco, vape and nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as ‘on the spot fines’ of £200 for retailers found to be selling these products to people underage. Health secretary Wes Streeting said the government is taking ‘bold action’ to create a smoke free generation, ... Date: 05-11-2024 Categories: • Clinical • Community • In Practice • News • Respiratory
CPE 'ready to restart CPCF negotiations immediately' ... ntry, especially as they have no ability to increase the prices they charge the NHS in an attempt to offset this direct tax on pharmacy team costs'. 'The situation is critical in England and Northern Ireland and will have an impact in Wales and Scotland,' Mr McQuillan said. 'For extended funding on the NHS to have the impact communities so desperately need, community pharmacy needs to be not only considered ... Date: 31-10-2024 Categories: • Community • News
Hub and spoke changes 'delayed beyond 1 January' ... ay. At the time, CPE then said it was working with the DHSC 'to develop a model that works for community pharmacy' in England. When the consultation response was published, negotiators in Northern Ireland expressed disappointment that the government had proceeded with the spoke-hub-patient model. Meanwhile in Scotland, the negotiator said in May that it could not begin conversations about how the new legisl ... Date: 30-09-2024 Categories: • Community • News
World Pharmacists Day celebrates 'vital' role of profession ... across the country for your hard work caring for our communities. 💙 pic.twitter.com/VRuFDvBfrP — NHS England (@NHSEngland) September 25, 2024 Meanwhile, Cathy Harrison, CPhO in Northern Ireland, described pharmacists as 'integral members' of healthcare teams 'in all sectors'. And Northern Ireland health minister Mike Nesbitt thanked pharmacists for their 'vital work'. Marking World Pharmacists Day, H ... Date: 25-09-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
Protest action hoped to spotlight pharmacy plight ... evGPj0tZ — Reena Barai (@REENABARAI) September 19, 2024 Sector leaders from Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the Company Chemists' Association (CCA), Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) and the NPA also highlighted patient concern by presenting their 'Save our pharmacies' petition, which now has more than 350,000 signatures, to parliament today. Good to be joined by other sector leaders to delive ... Date: 19-09-2024 Categories: • Community • News
Negotiator 'interested' to hear outcome of NPA ballot ... ballot to inform those considerations.' Ms Morrison joined NPA chief executive Paul Rees, NPA chair Nick Kaye, Company Chemists' Association chief executive Malcolm Harrison, Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland chief executive Gerard Greene, Labour MP for Exeter Steve Race and Labour MP for North Somerset Sadik Al-Hassan to deliver the 'Save Our Pharmacies' petition to Downing Street earlier today. Delighte ... Date: 19-09-2024 Categories: • Community • News
NPA to ballot pharmacists on working to rule ... sociation (NPA) is balloting its members on working to rule amid growing concerns over funding and budget cuts, it has announced today. If passed, thousands of pharmacies across England, Wales and Northern Ireland could take action before Christmas, in an unprecedented move for the sector. The ballot, which will be sent to NPA members 'within days', asks pharmacies if they will reduce services, withdraw fre ... Date: 19-09-2024 Categories: • Community • News
Puberty blockers ban extended until late November ... ones, known as ‘puberty blockers', to under-18s, was in place from 3 June to 3 September 2024. And yesterday (22 August) it was renewed until 26 November 2024, as well as being extended to cover Northern Ireland from the 27 August. It prohibits the sale or supply of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues for gender incongruence or dysphoria to under 18s not already taking them, when prescribed by UK-regi ... Date: 23-08-2024 Categories: • Clinical • Community • In Practice • Men's health • Mental health and addiction • News • Sexual health • Women's health
Employers to negotiate on NI practice pharmacist pay, says PDA GP employers in Northern Ireland have committed to engage in further negotiations on pay for practice pharmacists, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has confirmed. And no decision will be made on industrial action until ... Date: 21-08-2024 Categories: • In Practice • News
Paul Rees: 'We have to keep pharmacy on the government's agenda' ... told The Pharmacist in an exclusive interview last week. With 10 pharmacies in England closing each week, and many pharmacies feeling ‘close to the brink’ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the NPA’s second day of action is ‘really important’ to keep government attention on the sector, Mr Rees said. The action is planned on 19 September – just before this year's Labour Party conference, Mr Rees said. ... Date: 15-08-2024 Categories: • Community • Interviews • News
Practice pharmacists prepared to take industrial action over pay in NI Practice pharmacists in Northern Ireland have signalled strong appetite for industrial action over pay, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has revealed. A consultation of its members saw 90% of practice-based pharmacists in North ... Date: 14-08-2024 Categories: • In Practice • News
UKBPA welcomes single route to register internationally qualified pharmacists ... place with the help of a reconvened working group including representatives from statutory education bodies, OSPAP providers and other university representatives, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, employers, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the UK Black Pharmacists Association, and other representative bodies. The regulator also clarified that international applicants would still need to pass t ... Date: 12-08-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
Pharmacy bodies condemn racial violence as riots spread ... media, the Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA) said it was 'honoured' to be 'a diverse specialist pharmacy group, proud to represent the very best of multi-ethnic, multi-racial Britain, Northern Ireland and beyond'. 'We are appreciative of our excellent teams whose beliefs, backgrounds and belonging bring expertise, safety and empathy when assisting patients and their loved ones with medicines, heal ... Date: 06-08-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
Lowest summer registration pass rate since 2019 ... ealed. Just 75% of trainee pharmacists passed the common registration assessment for pharmacists this year, held jointly by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI). This year's pass rate is lower than the 77% that passed last summer, which was down from 80% in summer 2022, and 82% in 2021. No summer assessments took place in 2020 due to the pandemic ... Date: 30-07-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
Pharmacists would 'rather focus on care than check millions of certificates' ... lso have an impact on increased demands on NHS services if conditions are not managed effectively,’ she said. ‘There are no prescription charges in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales and pharmacists in England would also rather be focussed on providing care than having to check millions of certificates and undertake the other admin involved with the collection of what many call a “tax on health”,’ Ms Jones to ... Date: 25-06-2024 Categories: • Community • News
Paul Rees: 'We need to keep the pressure up' ... going today? For the first time ever, community pharmacies joined together across the independent sector. We reckon about 6,000 pharmacies have taken action across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They've been doing things like turning off the lights between 9am and 11am, people have been wearing black - there’s a banner outside this pharmacy as well. People have been really enthusiastic, we ... Date: 20-06-2024 Categories: • Community • Interviews • News
Two-thirds of pharmacies slash opening hours amid funding pressures ... S funding to cover the first three weeks of the month. Based on member feedback, the NPA believes that between 5,000 to 6,000 pharmacies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will take part in the day. Paul Rees, chief executive of the NPA, said: ‘Cutting opening hours is a last resort for pharmacies desperately trying to make ends meet in the face of a decade of cuts, which is why they feel comp ... Date: 20-06-2024 Categories: • Community • News
'Strong rationale' for GP pharmacist medicines reviews ... de Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA) said the 'very well-constructed' study was conducted in the Republic of Ireland in practices close to the border with Northern Ireland. 'If anything, pharmacists in the UK would likely have a greater impact due to their longer-standing activity and training infrastructure, prescribing scopes and support networks than in Ireland. 'I feel this study... is applicable ... Date: 17-06-2024 Categories: • In Practice • News
Pharmacy technicians able to supply meds under PGDs from end of month ... service’. Amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations were then made on 29 May, to come into force after 28 days, on the 26 June. They apply to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, although as pharmacy technicians are not registered in Northern Ireland the changes will not affect the pharmacy workforce there. An explanatory note added to the amendments clarified that the changes will enable p ... Date: 05-06-2024 Categories: • Community • News
Scottish Government 'unable' to announce community pharmacy contract before election ... that ‘accelerating this negotiation, whether in the coming weeks or with the new government, remains our focus.’ Meanwhile, Gerard Greene, chief executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland, told The Pharmacist that as health was a devolved matter, ‘many decisions relating to community pharmacy affairs including legislation in Northern Ireland can continue to be made at a local level by the The Assembly a ... Date: 31-05-2024 Categories: • Community • News
OTC medicines should be free for people on low incomes through Pharmacy First, say MPs ... service if we're genuine about wanting to take the pressure off GP appointments,’ Ms Morrison told the committee. This already forms part of the minor ailments services in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, she added. The committee's report also raised concerns about community pharmacy funding and called for greater focus on pharmacy workforce planning, as well as a legislation change that would allow ... Date: 30-05-2024 Categories: • Community • News • Pharmacy First
Hub and spoke discussions in Scotland won’t start until funding agreed, says CPS ... and spoke legislation will affect NHS dispensing until the sector has its funding in place for 2024/25, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has confirmed to The Pharmacist. Meanwhile, negotiators in Northern Ireland have expressed disappointment that the government has proceeded with the spoke-hub-patient model. The comments come after the government unveiled plans to allow models of hub and spoke dispensing ... Date: 17-05-2024 Categories: • Community • News
Pharmacists will be able to supply naloxone without a prescription ... the legislative changes outlined in the consultation. We aim to enact these changes over the course of this year, subject to parliamentary scrutiny in the UK Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly. We have engaged and consulted across the UK throughout this process and will continue to do this during the implementation and delivery of proposals.’ In Scotland, a national naloxone service means all commun ... Date: 15-05-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News
Government plans to 'ensure accountability and patient safety' in hub and spoke ... spoke must be registered as retail pharmacies and therefore will be subject to regulation by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) in Great Britain or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI), as hub and spokes operating within the same legal entity already are, the government said. Roz Gittins, chief pharmacy officer and deputy registrar at the GPhC, said that the regulator would be reviewin ... Date: 14-05-2024 Categories: • Analysis • Community • News
Hub and spoke changes could ‘further complicate’ medicines supply amid shortages ... tween the hub and spoke, especially where the hub is in another area or another country’. Particular concerns were raised around Northern Ireland, but the government said that many of these had been addressed by the Windsor Framework, which was agreed after the consultation period. And it said that posting medicines to Northern Ireland from Great Britain already occurred under distance selling pharmacies (D ... Date: 13-05-2024 Categories: • Analysis • Community • News

Ten tips for providing effective diabetes reviews ... atients, particularly where patients are motivated to make significant dietary changes. For those based in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, similar programmes are being adopted so it is worth checking whether it is available in your area. As part of the referral process, you need to determine whether any existing diabetes or blood pressure medicines need to be stopped when the diet begins – since the inte ... Date: 30-05-2025 Categories: • Clinical • Diabetes and endocrinology • In Practice

Northern Ireland pharmacies to receive funding for National Insurance hike Community pharmacies in Northern Ireland will receive funding towards the cost of employer National Insurance Contribution (NIC) increases, Stormont announced last week. But while the funding has been welcomed, the National Pharmacy Asso ... Date: 19-05-2025 Categories: • Community • News

New NPA chair sets out a change in tactics ... community pharmacy as well as into pharmacy ownership. Also at the Sigma conference this week, the chief pharmaceutical officers (CPhOs) for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland discussed how to enable joined-up care for patients whose long-term conditions are being managed by community pharmacist prescribers in the future. And in a letter presented at the conference, Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer prais ... Date: 16-05-2025 Categories: • Community • News

CPhOs quizzed on patient registration for pharmacist prescribers ... , chief pharmaceutical officer (CPhO) for England David Webb has suggested. Speaking via live video link to the Sigma Conference 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the three CPhOs for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland were asked whether they thought requiring patients to register with a pharmacist, as they do with a GP, would help 'ensure that there is a job role' for community pharmacist independent prescribers. ... Date: 13-05-2025 Categories: • Cardiovascular • Clinical • Community • Diabetes and endocrinology • In Practice • News

Hub and spoke changes expected to come into force in October ... e the House of Commons on Tuesday 29 April. Both houses of parliament (Lords and Commons) will now need to actively approve the legislation before it can be signed into law, as will the Northern Ireland Assembly. The last time this type of process was not approved was more than 40 years ago. Date: 30-04-2025 Categories: • Community • News

Recognition that NI GP pharmacist pay 'does not fully align' with AfC GP federations in Northern Ireland have recognised a pay discrepancy between clinical staff employed by hospital trusts and pharmacists employed by the federations. And both the GP federations and the Pharmacists' Defence Associati ... Date: 23-04-2025 Categories: • In Practice • News

UKHSA warns of worrying rises in infectious diseases since Covid pandemic ... K on track to lose its World Health Organization (WHO) low incidence status, officials warned. The UKHSA also published separate figures showing imported cases of dengue in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have reached a record high. In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers, up from 631 in 2023. While seasonal respiratory viruses continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortal ... Date: 11-04-2025 Categories: • Clinical • Respiratory • Vaccinations and infections

Millions could save on prescriptions using a pre-payment certificate, suggests NHSBSA ... consequences of this, with people skipping essential treatment, leading to worse health outcomes and additional pressure on the NHS. 'Prescriptions are already free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It’s time for England to follow suit and remove this unfair barrier to accessing medicines,' she said. Date: 08-04-2025 Categories: • Community • News

RPS to become Royal College of Pharmacy after member vote ... enness and mutual understanding so we are able to reap the considerable benefits for all those working in pharmacy and for patients and our communities,' the chief pharmaceutical officers for Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and England urged. Date: 26-03-2025 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

CPhOs add voice to royal college debate as RPS responds to PDA concerns A royal college would be 'the optimum vehicle for the realisation of everyone’s ambitions for pharmacy', the chief pharmaceutical officers (CPhOs) for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have said in a joint statement. It comes as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) has responded to the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA)'s objections to its plan to become a royal ... Date: 11-03-2025 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

Alcohol-related deaths reach record high in the UK ... t from the ONS showed that rates of deaths that were wholly attributable to alcohol increased in both England and Wales (15.0 and 17.7 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively). But in Scotland and Northern Ireland – which continue to have the highest rates of alcohol specific deaths – rates plateaued and fell to 22.6 and 18.5 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively. Historically, Scotland has faced higher r ... Date: 06-02-2025 Categories: • Cardiovascular • Clinical • Mental health and addiction

Pharmacy closures: Warning over 'serious, unintended consequences' on patients ... in our ballot – now’s the time to come up with a sensible settlement and a clear roadmap to the reform we all want to see.' In an advisory ballot run by the NPA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland late last year, some 99% of participating pharmacy owners said they were willing to limit their services unless funding is improved. This week, the NPA outlined five key 'tests' the government must meet in its ... Date: 17-01-2025 Categories: • Community • News • Pharmacy closures

Pharmacy contract offer must meet five 'tests', says NPA ... rt reducing their services in order to protect patients and ensure there is a viable pharmacy network fit for the future.' In an advisory ballot run by the NPA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland late last year, some 99% of participating pharmacy owners said they were willing to limit their services unless funding is improved. Gordon Hockey, CPE director of legal, confirmed to The Pharmacist that until a ... Date: 15-01-2025 Categories: • Community • News

NPA ramps up collective action threat as pharmacy contract delays continue ... hdraw vital services from patients as a form of collective action, but we may be left with little choice unless things improve,' he said. In an advisory ballot run by the NPA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland late last year, some 99% of participating pharmacy owners said they were willing to limit their services unless funding is improved. Mr Kaye called on the government to 'get around the table as so ... Date: 08-01-2025 Categories: • Community • News

New Year Honours for community pharmacist and PAGB chief ... ng availability of OTC medicines and supporting consumer healthcare'. PAGB added that Ms Riddalls 'diligently supported the government during Brexit' particularly around medicines supply issues in Northern Ireland, and 'ensured continued access to OTC medicines in NI post-Brexit'. And it said she had supported PAGB members and major retailers to navigate post-Brexit regulatory complexities. Ms Riddalls a ... Date: 02-01-2025 Categories: • Community • News

Paul Rees: ‘I’m hoping that justice will be done’ ... all my visits to community pharmacies, I've been bowled over by just how friendly and kind people are. I've been greeted by people really positively in England, in Wales, in Scotland, in Northern Ireland. ‘It's a great sector, and it deserves a fair deal.’ 'Community pharmacy is not treated with respect' Underfunding of the sector is a major theme Mr Rees said he has noted since joining the sector in Novemb ... Date: 23-12-2024 Categories: • Community • Interviews • News

Pharmacist views sought on sustainable use of medicines Pharmacists, stakeholders and members of the public have been urged to inform a new consultation on the sustainable and cost-effective use of medicines in Northern Ireland. The Department of Health in Northern Ireland is looking to build a strategy on the sustainable use of medicines in the country and is seeking views on a set of proposals aimed at supporting impro ... Date: 13-12-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

Uber offers free rides and meals with NHS email address ... hristmas Day, as well as a £10 Uber Eats voucher for a meal or grocery delivery, also to be used on on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. NHS staff, and Health and Social Care (HSC) in Northern Ireland, must ensure their Uber account is linked to their official NHS email address by midnight on 20 December. Eligible users will receive a promo code via email to redeem for rides and Uber Eats on 24 and 25 Decemb ... Date: 10-12-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

Rising cases of mosquito-borne infections prompts warning to UK travellers ... malaria-related deaths were reported in the UK in 2023. Dengue cases three times higher than last year Meanwhile, 473 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between January and June 2024 - more than three times the 157 reported in the same period in 2023. In March this year, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recommended a dengu ... Date: 03-12-2024 Categories: • Clinical • Community • News • Vaccinations and infections

Study shows benefits of pharmacy sore throat service over GP consultation ... possible re-consultations within 28 days, this reduces to 12 antibiotic prescriptions saved. The publishing of the study’s findings follow the announcement of a winter preparedness plan in Northern Ireland that will see the provision of a Pharmacy First sore throat service available from 1 December. Accessible to everyone aged five and over, the service will offer advice, clinical assessment and treatment ... Date: 22-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News • Pharmacy First

UK CPhOs issue advice to pharmacists on assisted dying debate ... exercise freedom of conscience. The advice was signed by, CPhO for England, David Webb; CPhO for Wales, Andrew Evans; CPhO for Scotland, Alison Strath; CPhO for Northern Ireland, Cathy Harrison; senior professional advisor for pharmacy technician practice at NHS England, Elizabeth Fidler; and deputy CPhO for England, Richard Cattell. RPS Scotland calls for clarity over pharmacists’ role in assisted dying ... Date: 21-11-2024 Categories: • Clinical • Community • In Practice • News

Paul Rees to leave NPA for nursing regulator ... whirlwind', with Mr Rees doing 'a great job' of establishing changes at the NPA. During Mr Rees' tenure, the NPA has delivered two 'days of action' and balloted its members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with the majority voting in favour of collective action from January. Mr Kaye said that he wished Mr Rees all the best, and assured pharmacists that he wasn't worried that the team would not be able ... Date: 18-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News

Northern Ireland's pharmacists to meet with minister after vote to reduce services A delegation of community pharmacists is set to meet with the UK Government's minister for Northern Ireland, Fleur Anderson, next month to discuss rising financial challenges facing the sector. The group will be led by Ulster Unionist Party peer Lord Rogan who said local pharmacies had been dispensing a ... Date: 15-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News

Pharmacy owners vote overwhelmingly in favour of collective action Pharmacy owners in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have voted in favour of taking collective action, according to a ballot carried out by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA). Some 99% of participating pharmacy owners said they were willing to ... Date: 14-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News

CPhO 'optimistic' about opportunities for community pharmacy ... course can be enabled through community pharmacy, from from birth all the way through the different phases of of our lives. And so I'm really sort of optimistic,' Mr Webb said. However, he echoed Northern Ireland CPhO Cathy Harrison's concerns that adequate resourcing for such services was 'very important'. Ms Harrison had previously said that in Northern Ireland, shifting care towards the community had no ... Date: 11-11-2024 Categories: • Community • News

‘Historic’ legislation to ban smoking laid in Parliament ... are children and young adults. The new legislation will allow the government to introduce a licensing scheme to sell tobacco, vape and nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as ‘on the spot fines’ of £200 for retailers found to be selling these products to people underage. Health secretary Wes Streeting said the government is taking ‘bold action’ to create a smoke free generation, ... Date: 05-11-2024 Categories: • Clinical • Community • In Practice • News • Respiratory

CPE 'ready to restart CPCF negotiations immediately' ... ntry, especially as they have no ability to increase the prices they charge the NHS in an attempt to offset this direct tax on pharmacy team costs'. 'The situation is critical in England and Northern Ireland and will have an impact in Wales and Scotland,' Mr McQuillan said. 'For extended funding on the NHS to have the impact communities so desperately need, community pharmacy needs to be not only considered ... Date: 31-10-2024 Categories: • Community • News

Hub and spoke changes 'delayed beyond 1 January' ... ay. At the time, CPE then said it was working with the DHSC 'to develop a model that works for community pharmacy' in England. When the consultation response was published, negotiators in Northern Ireland expressed disappointment that the government had proceeded with the spoke-hub-patient model. Meanwhile in Scotland, the negotiator said in May that it could not begin conversations about how the new legisl ... Date: 30-09-2024 Categories: • Community • News

World Pharmacists Day celebrates 'vital' role of profession ... across the country for your hard work caring for our communities. 💙 pic.twitter.com/VRuFDvBfrP — NHS England (@NHSEngland) September 25, 2024 Meanwhile, Cathy Harrison, CPhO in Northern Ireland, described pharmacists as 'integral members' of healthcare teams 'in all sectors'. And Northern Ireland health minister Mike Nesbitt thanked pharmacists for their 'vital work'. Marking World Pharmacists Day, H ... Date: 25-09-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

Protest action hoped to spotlight pharmacy plight ... evGPj0tZ — Reena Barai (@REENABARAI) September 19, 2024 Sector leaders from Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the Company Chemists' Association (CCA), Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland (CPNI) and the NPA also highlighted patient concern by presenting their 'Save our pharmacies' petition, which now has more than 350,000 signatures, to parliament today. Good to be joined by other sector leaders to delive ... Date: 19-09-2024 Categories: • Community • News

Negotiator 'interested' to hear outcome of NPA ballot ... ballot to inform those considerations.' Ms Morrison joined NPA chief executive Paul Rees, NPA chair Nick Kaye, Company Chemists' Association chief executive Malcolm Harrison, Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland chief executive Gerard Greene, Labour MP for Exeter Steve Race and Labour MP for North Somerset Sadik Al-Hassan to deliver the 'Save Our Pharmacies' petition to Downing Street earlier today. Delighte ... Date: 19-09-2024 Categories: • Community • News

NPA to ballot pharmacists on working to rule ... sociation (NPA) is balloting its members on working to rule amid growing concerns over funding and budget cuts, it has announced today. If passed, thousands of pharmacies across England, Wales and Northern Ireland could take action before Christmas, in an unprecedented move for the sector. The ballot, which will be sent to NPA members 'within days', asks pharmacies if they will reduce services, withdraw fre ... Date: 19-09-2024 Categories: • Community • News

Puberty blockers ban extended until late November ... ones, known as ‘puberty blockers', to under-18s, was in place from 3 June to 3 September 2024. And yesterday (22 August) it was renewed until 26 November 2024, as well as being extended to cover Northern Ireland from the 27 August. It prohibits the sale or supply of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues for gender incongruence or dysphoria to under 18s not already taking them, when prescribed by UK-regi ... Date: 23-08-2024 Categories: • Clinical • Community • In Practice • Men's health • Mental health and addiction • News • Sexual health • Women's health

Employers to negotiate on NI practice pharmacist pay, says PDA GP employers in Northern Ireland have committed to engage in further negotiations on pay for practice pharmacists, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has confirmed. And no decision will be made on industrial action until ... Date: 21-08-2024 Categories: • In Practice • News

Paul Rees: 'We have to keep pharmacy on the government's agenda' ... told The Pharmacist in an exclusive interview last week. With 10 pharmacies in England closing each week, and many pharmacies feeling ‘close to the brink’ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the NPA’s second day of action is ‘really important’ to keep government attention on the sector, Mr Rees said. The action is planned on 19 September – just before this year's Labour Party conference, Mr Rees said. ... Date: 15-08-2024 Categories: • Community • Interviews • News

Practice pharmacists prepared to take industrial action over pay in NI Practice pharmacists in Northern Ireland have signalled strong appetite for industrial action over pay, the Pharmacists’ Defence Association (PDA) has revealed. A consultation of its members saw 90% of practice-based pharmacists in North ... Date: 14-08-2024 Categories: • In Practice • News

UKBPA welcomes single route to register internationally qualified pharmacists ... place with the help of a reconvened working group including representatives from statutory education bodies, OSPAP providers and other university representatives, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland, employers, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the UK Black Pharmacists Association, and other representative bodies. The regulator also clarified that international applicants would still need to pass t ... Date: 12-08-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

Pharmacy bodies condemn racial violence as riots spread ... media, the Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA) said it was 'honoured' to be 'a diverse specialist pharmacy group, proud to represent the very best of multi-ethnic, multi-racial Britain, Northern Ireland and beyond'. 'We are appreciative of our excellent teams whose beliefs, backgrounds and belonging bring expertise, safety and empathy when assisting patients and their loved ones with medicines, heal ... Date: 06-08-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

Lowest summer registration pass rate since 2019 ... ealed. Just 75% of trainee pharmacists passed the common registration assessment for pharmacists this year, held jointly by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI). This year's pass rate is lower than the 77% that passed last summer, which was down from 80% in summer 2022, and 82% in 2021. No summer assessments took place in 2020 due to the pandemic ... Date: 30-07-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

Pharmacists would 'rather focus on care than check millions of certificates' ... lso have an impact on increased demands on NHS services if conditions are not managed effectively,’ she said. ‘There are no prescription charges in Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales and pharmacists in England would also rather be focussed on providing care than having to check millions of certificates and undertake the other admin involved with the collection of what many call a “tax on health”,’ Ms Jones to ... Date: 25-06-2024 Categories: • Community • News

Paul Rees: 'We need to keep the pressure up' ... going today? For the first time ever, community pharmacies joined together across the independent sector. We reckon about 6,000 pharmacies have taken action across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They've been doing things like turning off the lights between 9am and 11am, people have been wearing black - there’s a banner outside this pharmacy as well. People have been really enthusiastic, we ... Date: 20-06-2024 Categories: • Community • Interviews • News

Two-thirds of pharmacies slash opening hours amid funding pressures ... S funding to cover the first three weeks of the month. Based on member feedback, the NPA believes that between 5,000 to 6,000 pharmacies in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will take part in the day. Paul Rees, chief executive of the NPA, said: ‘Cutting opening hours is a last resort for pharmacies desperately trying to make ends meet in the face of a decade of cuts, which is why they feel comp ... Date: 20-06-2024 Categories: • Community • News

'Strong rationale' for GP pharmacist medicines reviews ... de Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA) said the 'very well-constructed' study was conducted in the Republic of Ireland in practices close to the border with Northern Ireland. 'If anything, pharmacists in the UK would likely have a greater impact due to their longer-standing activity and training infrastructure, prescribing scopes and support networks than in Ireland. 'I feel this study... is applicable ... Date: 17-06-2024 Categories: • In Practice • News

Pharmacy technicians able to supply meds under PGDs from end of month ... service’. Amendments to the Human Medicines Regulations were then made on 29 May, to come into force after 28 days, on the 26 June. They apply to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, although as pharmacy technicians are not registered in Northern Ireland the changes will not affect the pharmacy workforce there. An explanatory note added to the amendments clarified that the changes will enable p ... Date: 05-06-2024 Categories: • Community • News

Scottish Government 'unable' to announce community pharmacy contract before election ... that ‘accelerating this negotiation, whether in the coming weeks or with the new government, remains our focus.’ Meanwhile, Gerard Greene, chief executive of Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland, told The Pharmacist that as health was a devolved matter, ‘many decisions relating to community pharmacy affairs including legislation in Northern Ireland can continue to be made at a local level by the The Assembly a ... Date: 31-05-2024 Categories: • Community • News

OTC medicines should be free for people on low incomes through Pharmacy First, say MPs ... service if we're genuine about wanting to take the pressure off GP appointments,’ Ms Morrison told the committee. This already forms part of the minor ailments services in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, she added. The committee's report also raised concerns about community pharmacy funding and called for greater focus on pharmacy workforce planning, as well as a legislation change that would allow ... Date: 30-05-2024 Categories: • Community • News • Pharmacy First

Hub and spoke discussions in Scotland won’t start until funding agreed, says CPS ... and spoke legislation will affect NHS dispensing until the sector has its funding in place for 2024/25, Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS) has confirmed to The Pharmacist. Meanwhile, negotiators in Northern Ireland have expressed disappointment that the government has proceeded with the spoke-hub-patient model. The comments come after the government unveiled plans to allow models of hub and spoke dispensing ... Date: 17-05-2024 Categories: • Community • News

Pharmacists will be able to supply naloxone without a prescription ... the legislative changes outlined in the consultation. We aim to enact these changes over the course of this year, subject to parliamentary scrutiny in the UK Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly. We have engaged and consulted across the UK throughout this process and will continue to do this during the implementation and delivery of proposals.’ In Scotland, a national naloxone service means all commun ... Date: 15-05-2024 Categories: • Community • In Practice • News

Government plans to 'ensure accountability and patient safety' in hub and spoke ... spoke must be registered as retail pharmacies and therefore will be subject to regulation by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) in Great Britain or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI), as hub and spokes operating within the same legal entity already are, the government said. Roz Gittins, chief pharmacy officer and deputy registrar at the GPhC, said that the regulator would be reviewin ... Date: 14-05-2024 Categories: • Analysis • Community • News

Hub and spoke changes could ‘further complicate’ medicines supply amid shortages ... tween the hub and spoke, especially where the hub is in another area or another country’. Particular concerns were raised around Northern Ireland, but the government said that many of these had been addressed by the Windsor Framework, which was agreed after the consultation period. And it said that posting medicines to Northern Ireland from Great Britain already occurred under distance selling pharmacies (D ... Date: 13-05-2024 Categories: • Analysis • Community • News

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