Public Health England is working on a number of initiatives to support pharmacy's role in public Health.

Professor Kevin Fenton, national director for health and wellbeing at PHE, pictured speaking at the 'Community Pharmacy Improving the Public's Health in England' conference on November 6, told delegates that PHE:

• Is working with Pharmacy Voice and a group of important stakeholders on pharmacy engagement in the prevention, early detection and management of high blood pressure
• Is collaborating with the Royal Society for Public Health to publish 'Pharmacy supporting the public's health in England', with an expected publication date early in 2016
• Is collaborating with the Local Government Association on an update of the pharmacy and public health LGA document
• Is developing HLP implementation resource guides for commissioners and providers
• Will showcase pharmacy’s public health contribution at upcoming events, eg, the NHS Health Checks conference.

PHE acknowledged community pharmacy as a key strategic partner and was embedding pharmacy in its leading public health programmes, such as high blood pressure prevention, early detection and management, NHS Health Checks, dementia awareness and diabetes prevention, said Prof Fenton. "Pharmacy is a key asset and resource. It's a no-brainer to get into a partnership with you," he said.

With its unique offering of trusted professionals, ideal locations and informal environment, pharmacy had the potential to impact on the majority of PHE’s key priorities. Prof Fenton outlined PHE's vision for pharmacy: "A future with pharmacy teams fully integrated into local primary care networks and playing an appropriate and pivotal role in improving the health of people. This is not a pipe dream."