During the current uncertain times, pharmacists should be "at least prepared" and not "least prepared", over 300 members and guests were told at the annual PharmaPlus dinner on October 24.

PharmaPlus managing director Hiten Patel (pictured) told the audience that his buying group would make its members aware of, and prepare them for, some of the unique challenges ahead. "One of the great strengths we have retained in PharmaPlus is that we resolutely believe in the importance of traditional values associated with a pharmacy support group – this was the basis of our group’s origins," he said. "Our members are not merely numbers but people who we genuinely try to look after. We don’t want to and we won’t, lose these values and become a casualty of the rapid changes occurring currently in Pharmacy. Our message is simple, we will give all the practical help – you get on and run your business, in dealing with patients and the public.” 

Chair of Pharmacy Voice and dinner guest Claire Ward (pictured with Ian Strachan and other guests) said: “Pharmacy has shown its capacity to be flexible and to deliver in important areas. The new flu service is a model of how good pharmacy can be. Having completed more vaccinations in the first month than in the whole of last year, it proves that pharmacy can and should be invested and trusted to do much more. The future holds many challenges for pharmacy, given the financial difficulties facing the NHS. But also lots of opportunities and it is these that we must grasp to ensure that the sector is fully recognised for the skills and expertise that exist within pharmacy.”

Ian Strachan, chairman of the NPA, said: “The NPA is on a member centric agenda committed to improve the profitability, sustainability and interests of community pharmacy both professionally and commercially. We must use the community pharmacy network to add to the social capital of our communities and exploit it's diversity and adaptability to change which is a feature of the independent sector.”