I experienced a curious sense of déjà vu as I oversaw the latest issue of The Pharmacist.

During this and our previous two issues, the headlines were dominated by the pharmacy funding cuts, and for good reason. For English contractors, losing such a large chunk of their income has been difficult, to say the least.

One contractor I spoke to recently told me how difficult it has become to keep staffing at its current levels – an issue echoed by exclusive figures uncovered by The Pharmacist earlier this year, which revealed that up to 12,000 pharmacy team jobs could be at risk because of the cuts.

So it’s little wonder that the sector refuses to stop railing against them, with both the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) lodging appeals against unsuccessful court cases this summer.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to predict whether the NPA or PSNC appeals will be successful. But for me, the best thing community pharmacy can do to prove its worth to the Government – and therefore why cutting its funding is foolish – is to showcase all the wonderful work you do day in, day out.

So it gives me great pleasure to introduce the first of The Pharmacist’s Clinical Champions – ordinary pharmacists just like you, doing extraordinary work in their communities. Find out how our latest Champion started his own travel clinic to serve his patients and – just as importantly – bolster his bottom line.

Click here to find out how you and your pharmacy team can apply to become Clinical Champions.