Pharmacist groups

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The National Pharmaceutical Association (NPA) has called for closer working between the pharmaceutical industry and pharmacy in advance of the new pharmacy contract going live in 2005. Says Colette McCreedy, NPA director of pharmacy practice:

‘Pharmaceutical companies need to prepare themselves for a new generation of primary care professionals who will have a significant input into prescribing decisions.’

This about not only the appearance of supplementary prescribers but also the larger number of pharmacists who are likely to get involved in medicines management.

The Propriety Association of Great Britain (PAGB), which represents UK manufacturers of over the counter (OTC) medicines, has advertised for a self-care Manager reporting to the director of health policy and public affairs. This about supporting a DH-funded PCT pilot on self-care, which links back to chronic disease management and expert patients programmes. Some vested interests going on here perhaps? And also note that the NPA, representing the owners of over 11,000 pharmacies, has advertised for a NHS liaison manager.:

‘The role of the liaison manger will be to ensure the NPA can effectively influence the NHS at national level and will work with the NPA’s NHS service development department, responsible for developing the role of the community pharmacist with NHS primary care.’