The Minister announced the additional funding after listening to concerns raised by pharmacists about the increased productivity within community pharmacy and the need to ensure adequate funding is in place to maintain, develop and support a stable pharmacy network.
Paul Goggins said: “ The local pharmacist plays a key role in primary care in the community, providing an open door for patients allowing them access to a healthcare professional without the need for an appointment.
“In addition to the dispensing of prescriptions and the provision of advice to patients, community pharmacy can provide a range of quality services such as the treatment of minor ailments, advice on medicines management and help with smoking cessation.
“It is crucial that we invest in this service to ensure the 123,000 people who access a pharmacy every day continue to receive a high quality service from skilled professionals.”
“The extra £2million being invested in 2007/08 will ensure pharmacists continue to provide patients with the high quality service they expect and demonstrates the Department’s commitment to continue working closely with the profession as we move forward to implementing a new contract for community pharmacy”.
Notes to Editors:
- “Making it Better…A Strategy for Pharmacy in the Community” was published in February 2004 and seeks to build on the successes of the past and direct community pharmacy towards a challenging future where it can play a more integral and influential role in Northern Ireland’s 21st century health service.
- The strategy has two strands, maintaining and improving access, and increasing quality. In particular the new pharmacy strategy aims to make optimal use of pharmacist’s skills and develop the clinical and social care governance agenda and public health strategy.
- The new Community Pharmacy Contract will underpin the new strategy and provide a framework for the delivery of community pharmacy services. The contract will enable both independent contractors and commissioning authorities to further enhance and develop the role of community pharmacy in improving the health and well being of the Northern Ireland population.
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