NPA calls for acknowledgement of pharmacies’ importance

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has called on the government to recognise the increasing importance pharmacies play in healthcare provision in the UK.

As part of an ongoing campaign to persuade politicians of the key role community pharmacists play in NHS frontline services, NPA chairman Ian Facer has written a letter to all members of the newly-elected House of Commons.

It states that pharmacists have become the “first port of call” for UK patients when they feel unwell and have come to provide a wide array of NHS services.

The NPA is keen to emphasise this message following the coalition government’s pledge to protect frontline services from proposed budget cuts.

Mr Facer said: “Community pharmacy plays a vital part in the front line of health services and it is widely acknowledged that it has the potential to do more.”

This week, Mr Facer highlighted the importance of pharmacies at the annual Chemist and Druggist Awards, for which the NPA once again acted as a sponsor.