NHS England has announced that it will commission an independent review of community pharmacy services to advise it chief pharmaceutical officer.

The review, to be chaired by Richard Murray, director of policy for The King’s Fund, will:

• Examine the evidence base, value and output of the clinical elements of the contractual framework and other clinical services commissioned by NHSE
• Identify the barrier that prevent maximum utilisation of community pharmacy potential
• Make recommendations for commissioning models and clinical services that “both integrated and transform the clinical contribution of community pharmacy”
• Make recommendations for commissioning models that deliver good patients outcomes and optimal value for money for the taxpayer, when compared to services delivered elsewhere in primary care.

The review, which was announced at a Department of Health workshop for pharmacy bodies and HealthWatch held on April 28 to discuss progress on proposals for pharmacy reforms, is expected to run from May to October. Pharmacy Voice chief executive Rob Darracott said the review held some threats to the sector, but its scope should allow a proper consideration of the work going on across the country to improve outcomes for patients.

“However, we firmly believe the sector should decide where we want to be by the end of this spending review period. It must be our ideas that lead thinking on how the Integration Fund could get the greatest impact. We might recognise the need for efficiency and effectiveness but we need to offer our own way forward and not think that the Department of Health and/or NHS England’s proposals represent the only way forward.”

Immediately following the meeting on April 28, Pharmacy Voice began planning for a ‘Community Pharmacy Forward View’, working mainly with PSNC, but also with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and local pharmacy leaders.