Page 14 - P4403.59-V55_Numark Pharmacy Magazine Sep 24 PRINT 3

Labour's Health Mission:
The Health Mission extends
commitments to expand
community pharmacy roles:

• Accelerating independent prescribing to
establish a comprehensive Community
Pharmacist Prescribing Service.

• Reducing regulatory barriers for
pharmacy technicians to take on
more responsibilities, enabling
pharmacists to focus on prescribing
and medicines management, aiding
chronic disease management and
reducing overprescription issues.

How will this play out?
The man at the forefront of this change is now the
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Labour
MP Wes Streeting.

Mr. Streeting has publicly voiced concerns over the
significant number of pharmacy closures in recent
years. He has expressed a strong commitment to
reversing this trend, aiming to make community
pharmacies more accessible to all patients and
positioning them at the forefront of the health service.
His vision emphasises a shift towards prioritising
primary care over hospital-centric services, which he
believes will enhance patient outcomes. However, he
acknowledges that this transformation will be gradual
rather than immediate, suggesting it could take up to
a decade to fully realise this ambitious vision.
Despite this long-term approach, many community
pharmacies, already under strain, may find little
reassurance in the timeline, as time remains a critical
factor for their sustainability.

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