Government to launch new research into pharmacy sector

The government is to carry out new research into how the UK community pharmacy sector should develop.

Pharmacy and public health forum chair Richard Parish confirmed to Chemist and Druggist that a budget of 1.5 million pounds has been allocated by chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies for the new research project.

Details are yet to be revealed as to how the money will be allocated, as the Department of Health has not made a formal announcement on the programme, but Mr Parish said pharmacists should be taking an active interest in how the money is spent.

He said the research efforts "should provide some answers, whether that's around commissioning, professional development or how you have enhanced local services on top of the national arrangements".

This comes after a recent report from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society called for pharmacists to be involved more prominently in the provision of NHS care in order to reduce demand on GPs, out-of-hours and hospital services, improve access and care for patients and free up hospital capacity.