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CCGs should ‘open their minds’ to pharmacy

CCGs should ‘open their minds’ to pharmacy
9 October 2013



Community pharmacies are an ‘undervalued resource’ in the health service, according to a new report. 
The report, released by the national Pharmacy and Public Health Forum said there is growing evidence that community pharmacy could play a major role in improving and maintaining the nation’s health. 

Community pharmacies are an ‘undervalued resource’ in the health service, according to a new report. 
The report, released by the national Pharmacy and Public Health Forum said there is growing evidence that community pharmacy could play a major role in improving and maintaining the nation’s health. 
Health on the high street calls on commissioners to “open their minds” to the potential of community pharmacy. 
According to the report, commissioners should invest in community pharmacy as a channel for delivering tailored public health services. 
Clinical commissioning groups, NHS England, local authorities and health and wellbeing boards should develop a coherent approach to commissioning public health services from community pharmacy. 
Dr Johnny Marshall, NHS Confederation director of policy, said: "Local pharmacies are often uniquely placed at the heart of the community, whether on the high street, in supermarkets, or in the village square. But we are not currently making the most of the expertise or access they offer in terms of being able to deliver public health services, like screening and treatment, right into people's everyday lives.
"We need to think of community pharmacy services as a core element of the whole range of options and avenues offered by the NHS, and make full use of them to increase the range of ways local people can get the support they need to live healthy lives."

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