National Pharmacy Association urges government to protect ‘vital projects’

The government has been advised by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) not to cut back services that are integral to the workings of the pharmacy industry.

Chief executive of the NPA John Turk made the recommendations following this week’s pre-budget report, which contained proposals to reduce the scale of the NHS’ IT project.

“Of course, all government programmes, including NHS IT, should be periodically reviewed for cost-effectiveness. However, useful projects must not be undermined by budget cuts made in desperation,” he explained.

Mr Turk added that access to shared electronic records would enable pharmacists to offer the highest standards of efficiency and patient care, but such a system should not be implemented without the support of “a truly representative group of end users”.

The NPA was founded in 1921 and is a voluntary UK-wide trade and professional body which voices the concerns and issues faced by its 13,000 community pharmacy members.