Annual Conference of Local Pharmaceutical Committees
The recent Annual Conference of Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs) and Community Pharmacy England (CPE) took place on November 6th in London. Representatives from 52 of the 55 LPCs collaborated with patient advocates and key stakeholders to deliberate on the future of community pharmacy in the United Kingdom. Our CEO Fiona Lowe, along with three members from our LPCs, participated in the event.
The conference underscored critical issues and opportunities, emphasizing the need to align community pharmacy efforts with the NHS 10-Year Plan and to engage effectively with the new government. Janet Morrison, CEO of Community Pharmacy England, highlighted the importance of the upcoming months in influencing health policy and outlined ongoing efforts to advocate for pharmacy funding ahead of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review. LPCs are expected to respond to key questions from the NHS Plan and encourage Pharmacy Teams to do likewise in line with the Change NHS initiatives.
Among the speakers were Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock MP and Chief Pharmaceutical Officer David Webb, both of whom articulated their visions for the future of community pharmacy. A ‘soapbox’ session provided LPCs with the opportunity to express significant concerns, including issues related to branded generics (presented by Fiona Lowe and Karen Samuel Smith), medicines margin, and unfunded consultations, facilitating a productive exchange of ideas and priorities within the pharmacy network. Following the presentation on branded generics, many LPCs have sought additional information. A primary focus of the event was the Vision for Community Pharmacy, a project initiated to assist Community Pharmacy England in developing a forward-thinking strategy for the sector. While advancements have been made on several recommendations from the previous year’s report—including the launch of the Pharmacy First service —there remains an urgent need for further action to stabilize and enhance community pharmacy services for the benefit of both patients and the NHS. The attendees conveyed a unified message: community pharmacies are vital healthcare resources, yet they encounter substantial challenges that could jeopardize their sustainability.
