General election 2010

This Manifesto is the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain’s contribution to the debate on the challenges facing the NHS and how these challenges should be met following the General Election. We believe that considerable pressure on spending and the need to find substantial efficiency savings must lead to new ways to deliver care and improve the health of the nation. Pharmacies are accessible (99 per cent of the population live within 20 minutes' journey time to a pharmacy) and staffed by highly-trained professionals. These professionals are well-placed to improve patient safety, prevent and treat disease and promote public health, while providing excellent value for money to the NHS.

In England alone, there are over 10,000 pharmacies and over 32,000 registered pharmacists. Pharmacists are the healthcare experts in medicines and spend four years at university before undertaking a year’s pre-registration training. Pharmacy is of crucial importance to healthcare and to patients.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) urges political parties to:

Expand nationally commissioned pharmacy services to improve public health and early diagnosis

There are excellent examples of pharmacy services, commissioned locally, being used to improve public health and ensure rapid detection of disease. A nationally commissioned scheme would ensure countrywide access to these vital programmes. We recommend that such a scheme include:

• Minor ailments service; this scheme encourages those with minor ailments, such as a cough or sprained ankle, to seek advice from their pharmacist instead of making an appointment with a GP. This service is highly cost-effective.
• Sexual healthcare services; the roll out of a comprehensive sexual healthcare service, including emergency hormonal contraception, testing and advice on contraception.
• Obesity management service; this will help counteract rising obesity levels and associated health problems.
• Cancer early detection scheme; pharmacists can assist in identifying patients who may be suffering the very early stages of cancer.

Introduce a Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) for pharmacy to facilitate cooperation with general practice

The RPSGB is working with the Royal College of General Practitioners to develop recommendations which will improve working relationships between pharmacists and GPs. The introduction of a QOF for pharmacists which fully integrates with those for GPs will encourage cooperation and lay the groundwork for a better integrated health service and a better service for patients. The RPSGB believes this one measure can deliver noticeable benefits to patients within the first two years of a new Parliament.

Complete the process of decriminalising dispensing errors

Outdated legislation treats any dispensing error- no matter how simple the error or how minor its effect – as an automatic criminal offence. This situation is not only unjust but deters pharmacists from reporting dispensing errors. However, improving patient safety depends on obtaining comprehensive information on adverse events. The MHRA and Department of Health have committed to review the Medicines Act to address this issue. We hope that all political parties can work together to secure a speedy resolution.

Address the alarming vacancy rates of Band 6 and 7 hospital pharmacists

The national average rate for vacancies at Band 6 and 7 are unacceptably high, with a recent workforce study showing average Band 6 vacancies at approximately 25% of the total, and with some areas in the UK experiencing vacancy rates of almost 40%.

We believe that only the Government can take the action required to address the problem and will continue to work with the Department of Health to resolve it.

Introduce a Chief Pharmacist role within every PCT to enable effective communication throughout the NHS

A PCT Chief Pharmacist would have a statutory responsibility for pharmacy in primary and secondary care in that geographical area. This role would foster effective communication, enable the transfer of good practice and provide accountability for local health services and the public. They would be responsible for overseeing the effective use of pharmacy within each PCT and achieving cost savings through efficient use of pharmacy-led services.

Support the introduction of a national accreditation scheme for the profession

A national accreditation scheme would allow pharmacists to gain accreditation for the delivery of a specific health service within one PCT that is applicable throughout England. Pharmacists are currently required to seek accreditation in every PCT they operate. This single measure would remove multiple testing and overbearing regulation.

Ensure original pack dispensing for prescription medicines

Currently community pharmacists will often be forced to split the contents of manufacturers’ original packs when dispensing medication if the pack size does not correspond to the prescribed quantity. Stopping this practice would have benefits for patient safety because it would ensure that patients received their medication in its original pack and with the appropriate Patient Information Leaflet. Original Pack Dispensing would also reduce the workload of pharmacists who must take time to ‘snip’ the pack, repackage and source an additional Patient Information Leaflet. Addressing this would increase the time available to spend providing healthcare advice and support to patients.

Government should examine how original pack dispensing can be supported and pharmacists can be reimbursed for all the medicines they dispense.

Ensure the expansion of electronic care records and the electronic transfer of prescriptions (EPS)

Information technology (IT) is increasingly being used to support best practice in healthcare. While the RPSGB acknowledges that it may not be financially viable to continue with some aspects of the NHS IT Programme, we believe that it is essential that pharmacists gain secure access to a patient’s Summary Care Record.

The current system planned for pharmacy allows only an exchange of information from GPs to pharmacists, with no response from pharmacists. A truly interactive system will reduce prescribing errors, wasted medicines and costs. It will also facilitate dialogue between pharmacists and GPs - the most effective method of improving patient healthcare.

Allow qualified pharmacists to assist those who require urgent treatment for extreme pain

Allowing suitably qualified pharmacists to prescribe controlled drugs, such as diazepam and morphine-based pain relief to patients in appropriate situations, would ensure patients receive their medicines as soon as needed and be more effective for the health service. Currently, patients must wait for a doctor or nurse to be available to prescribe a suitable treatment. Minor legislative changes to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 would allow pharmacists to provide timely help to those in need of pain relief, particularly those in the final stages of life.