Some pharmacists may be uncomfortable with work-to-rule action. But this is about ensuring pharmacy teams feel valued, says Nick Kaye…

As National Pharmacy Association chair, I have been asked about the organisation’s campaign to get the government to support community pharmacy better.

It is absolutely true that in the last 12 months, the NPA has never in its history had the cut-through in pharmacy, local and national media as it does now. I understand that some of the things we asked our members to do feels uncomfortable to some, especially the ballot on work-to-rule action.

This is an unusual space for us to be in and it is the first time in 100 years the NPA has asked such a question of its membership. 

I have been asked whether this will impact patient care. It might do but the collapse of the pharmacy network will have much more of an impact.

If we don’t act on people’s abilities to access the care and medicines they need, things will get fundamentally worse without action and stabilisation of the pharmacy network.

I believe that campaigning for better recognition, funding and support is a crucial part of maintaining, not just the profession’s external status, but also the internal self-worth of those who work within it. They need to feel someone is on their side batting for them.

As community pharmacies, we have played a pivotal role in healthcare, quietly working behind the counter, dispensing medications, offering expert advice and ensuring patients understand how to manage their treatments.

Yet, despite our integral role in the healthcare system, as pharmacy teams, we can often feel undervalued. The NHS is under increasing strain and the importance of community pharmacies is growing, but so too is the weight on our shoulders.

Community pharmacies have long been seen as the most accessible part of the NHS. In England, where we know over 90 per cent of the population lives within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy, pharmacists are often the first point of contact for healthcare, especially in underserved communities.

The Covid pandemic showcased the essential nature of our frontline workforce as pharmacies stepped up in every way. Yet, despite our crucial role, the funding cuts we have all suffered in recent years, resulting in financial strain, coupled with an increased workload, has left many of us feeling overwhelmed and undervalued.

The need to campaign for better funding and recognition has never been more urgent. Many of us have struggled to stay afloat, with some closing down, while others faced a reduction in staff and services.

This has led to a sense of helplessness, with many of us feeling our value is being diminished. It feels like the battle to reverse these funding cuts has been ongoing for some time.

There have been numerous campaigns highlighting the cost-effective nature of community pharmacies. By offering accessible healthcare, we can reduce the pressure on GPs and hospitals and deliver a substantial return on investment for the NHS.

For every £1 spent on community pharmacies, the NHS is estimated to save around £2 in reduced hospital admissions and GP consultations. Yet, despite this, we continue to fight for the recognition and support we deserve.

The constant need to fight for recognition and adequate funding takes its toll on all of us, and most of us feel like we are being asked to do more with less, leaving us stretched thin. 

The pressures of long hours, growing responsibilities and diminishing resources have caused a rise in mental health concerns.

The emotional toll of managing, not only workload but also the expectations of patients, GPs and government bodies, often leaves us feeling undervalued and burnt out.

Self-worth in any profession is tied closely to recognition and appreciation, both in terms of personal fulfilment and societal value.

I believe the ongoing campaigns are not just about funding, they’re about validating their professional identity. Campaigning in community pharmacy is about more than securing financial support; it's about securing the profession's future and, more importantly, ensuring pharmacists and pharmacy teams feel valued.

Every win in the ongoing fight for better funding, recognition and mental health support is a step towards rebuilding the self-worth of pharmacy teams. 

In a time when the demands on the NHS are growing and pressures on GPs and hospitals are mounting, the value of community pharmacy cannot be overstated.

But while external validation is important, it is the sense of worth that comes from within, rooted in understanding the critical role they play in supporting our community’s health, that will sustain the profession through its challenges.

It is this combination of external advocacy and internal self-worth that will ensure community pharmacy remains not just a cornerstone of the NHS, but a profession that is rewarding for all those who practice it. After all, we are more than dispensers of medicines. We are healthcare providers, educators and essential pillars of the communities we serve.

It’s time for us to feel that worth both inside and out and get the stable funding we need to support our patients. 

Nick Kaye is a community pharmacist based in Newquay and the chair of the National Pharmacy Association. These are his personal views.