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This month's news from the National Pharmacy Association...

NPA mobilises members forfair funding campaign

We have issued a funding campaign pack to NPA members across the UK, to raise the noise level of demands for a fair new deal for contractors. Nationwide distribution of posters, stickers, cards for MPs and petition materials will give a boost to the cross sector #SaveOurPharmacies campaign.

The initiative comes on the back of intensifi ed national media coverage in May, during which the NPA warned of accelerating pharmacy closures – now running at 10 every week in England. NPA chief executive Paul Rees said: “Our members are under crushing fi nancial pressure. By supplying these new campaign materials, we are making it easier for our members to speak out and be heard. We feel certain that their patients and communities will take this opportunity to show their support for vital local services.

We want to raise the noise level of this issue so that policy makers and NHS managers sit up, take notice and, above all, take action to save our pharmacies.” The NPA is working with other pharmacy leaders on mobilising public support in a coordinated fashion, ahead of the General Election. The intention is to infl uence public and political opinion, to give the best possible conditions for successful contractual negotiations in England.

Data Security andProtection Toolkit (England)

The NPA team has produced guidance to help pharmacy contractors complete the Data Security and Protection (DSP) Toolkit 2023/24, which provides assurances to the NHS that they are practising good information governance. This is a mandatory requirement and should be submitted by June 30, 2024.

Standing up for pharmacy in the media... again

Once again, we’ve been making powerful calls for change in the media and in Westminster – this time sharing our new analysis of official closure figures.

An average 10 pharmacies a week have closed in England since the start of the year. In Westminster, Derek Thomas MP, a good friend of pharmacy and a good friend of the NPA, put our shocking figures directly to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Prime Ministers’ Question Time.

He replied with praise for the sector, but no new money. Warm words are nice, but we know funding is essential to survive and thrive.

Hub and spoke dispensing Government proposals published

The Government has announced that it plans to change the law to allow all pharmacies to access hub and spoke dispensing. This means that, subject to legislation, hub and spoke providers may be able to offer their services to pharmacies from early 2025. Independents will have the ability to use hubs to assemble medicines on their behalf.

Hubs and spokes will have to reach agreement on the fees that spokes will pay to hubs to use this service. In order to be able to use hub and spoke models:

• Written arrangements must be in place between the hub and the spoke to give a comprehensive statement detailing their responsibilities

• The spoke must conspicuously display a notice on their premises detailing the name and address of any hub pharmacy that they have entered into arrangements with, alongside a brief statement of the general effect of those arrangements

• If a pharmacy (including a DSP) and/or a dispensing doctor has an online presence and utilises a hub and spoke model, their website should display the same information conspicuously. Dispensing label of the medicine

• The hub and the spoke will have the autonomy to agree between them whose details will be displayed on the dispensing label of the medicine. This will ensure that patients are clear about the point of contact for any queries about their dispensed medicines

• It will be a requirement, as part of the written arrangements, that the hub and spoke must confirm which of them will have their details stated on the dispensing label as a point of contact (but not both)

• Dispensing doctors will also be subject to this requirement if they are acting as a spoke.

Sale and supply of medicines

References to the sale or supply of medicines “at” or “on pharmacy premises” will be changed to “at or from pharmacy premises.” Information governance New regulation 222C would be introduced in the Human Medicines Regulations that creates an information gateway for the hub and spokemodels.

• This will make clear that the data sharing between the hub and the spoke for these purposes will be seen as compliant with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act (DPA) by setting out in legislation the lawful basis relied upon for processing this data

• The information gateway will also extend the professional confi dentiality requirement under article 9(3) of UK GDPR. This means that any person employed by the hub or the spoke who is processing the data for those purposes will also share that same obligation of professional confi dentiality as the responsible healthcare professional

NHS Terms of Service

• There will be a process of engagement with the NHS national pharmaceutical services’ representative bodies to discuss any changes needed to NHS terms of service in each UK country

• Each devolved administration will need to consider the use of hub and spoke models as part of NHS pharmaceutical services within their own territory and whether there needs to be any consequential amendments to their NHSpharmaceutical legislative framework.

Protest invoice for underpayments

The NPA handed over a £108 million invoice on behalf of community pharmacies to the Department of Health and Social Care in May. This represents the amount pharmaciesin England subsidised the dispensing of NHS medicines from their own pockets last month, due to underfunding. The £108m figure is an average monthly figure based on the loss to pharmacy incomes over the past decade.

NPA member forum Belfast

We invite NPA members based in developments and the opportunity to Northern Ireland to our Summer 2024 network with other NPA members. forum at Crowne Plaza, Belfast. More information from our Northern This forum will provide expert sessions Ireland manager Anne McAlister: on current business and pharmacy practice a.mcalister@npa.co.uk

PHARMACY FIRST RESOURCES

Amongst the new resources on our Pharmacy First hub is a ‘print in one click’ red flag factsheet: www.npa.co.uk/red-flag-factsheets-hub

Special Election NPA board member vacancy

A special election has been called to fill a vacancy on the NPA board for members with one to five pharmacies in the North of England. Nominations close noon on Wednesday 12 June. For an informal discussion about the role of an NPA board member, please contact returning officer Gareth Jones: g.jones@npa.co.uk. The election is being administered by Civica.

Covid-19 Inquiry NPA explains the role of pharmacy in lifesaving vaccinations

Lawyer Brian Stanton, on behalf of the NPA, has told the Covid-19 Inquiry about community pharmacies’ expertise in delivering vaccination programmes and the vital role they played during the pandemic – notably in under-served communities.

The pharmacy network is a cost-effective network that is “always on” – ready to step in and support public health challenges, whatever they may be. The NPA is participating in the Covid-19 Inquiry to tell the story of pharmacies’ role in the pandemic and make sure that lessons are learned to help prevent and combat future health emergencies.

The NPA emphasised the benefi ts of delivering healthcare services through existing infrastructure and resource with close community ties, such as the pharmacy network. As the only organisation representing community pharmacies to be designated as a core participant in the Covid-19 Inquiry, we are ensuring our sector’s heroic role overcoming Covid is officially recognised and the lessons from that experience are learned.

Hugo Keith KC, counsel to the inquiry, noted that the NPA has “provided a very helpful and thorough statement which covers the position in each of the [UK’s] four nations”. Chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, the independent public inquiry is examining the UK’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic and will make recommendations for the future.

The NPA has been designated as a core participant in Module 4 (vaccines and therapeutics) and Module 3 (impact on healthcare systems) of the inquiry proceedings.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Selected queries put to the NPA’s pharmacy advice & support team this month

What is the maximum quantity that can be supplied via the PFS (Eng) urgent medicines supply route? Pharmacists should apply their professional judgement to determine the most appropriate quantity to supply, in line with the provisions of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 (Regulations 225, and 253, Schedules 18 and 23); these cover emergency supply at the patient’s request and record-keeping requirements.

How can I find a lactose-free preparation of a particular medication?

The Specialist Pharmacy Services (SPS) website provides guidance on how a lactose free licensed preparation can be found: www.sps.nhs.uk

What is the difference between Elvanse Adult and Elvanse capsules?

The formulation and presentation are the same. However, they are licensed for different age groups, and therefore should be supplied according to their licensing.

Upcoming foundation training

The NPA’s 2024/25 foundation training programme is now open for enrolment. Commencing in September, this 10-month blended learning programme includes four face-to-face study days at each of the three England locations. Topics include clinical pharmacy, calculations, delivering pharmacy services, and Pharmacy First. Along with the main programme content, trainee pharmacists can undertake the following training (all included in the member price of £1,150):

• Leadership training

• Practical first aid, vaccination and clinical skills training

• NPA medicines counter assistant course.

What sets the NPA’s foundation training apart?

Mixed learning formats for different learning styles

We accommodate different learning styles and preferences, and our face-to-face study sessions are very popular as they enable practical training and interaction with other trainees.

Build confidence and capabilities

Our programme doesn’t just help trainees pass the common registration assessment. It supports and equips them with the skills and knowledge needed to become a competentpharmacist.

Regular progress updates

We update designated supervisors throughout the training programme, providing them with a report at around 26 weeks. This helps them understand trainee progression.