Community Pharmacy Wales and the Welsh government have entered an agreement on Thursday (December 16), enabling all pharmacies to deliver provision of contraception, treatment for common minor ailments, and access to repeat medicines in an emergency.
Expansion of clinical community pharmacy service will be supported with an increased funding of £20 million a year by April 2024 from the current level of £11.4m.
The two bodies have been negotiating the terms of agreement, which also includes plans to roll out a Wales-wide pharmacy prescribing service, allowing trained pharmacists to treat an extended range of conditions that currently require GP visits.
The agreement will allow patients to access NHS services closer to home which in turn would free up GP and other NHS services for patients with more complex needs.
Eluned Morgan MS, minister for Health and Social Services said: “I welcome the positive approach to negotiations taken by Community Pharmacy Wales, embracing our ambition for a reimagined community pharmacy service, which is an integral part of a strong primary care landscape.”
“The new arrangements recognise and reward pharmacies, which understand, share and deliver our longer-term ambition to provide effective, high-quality, sustainable healthcare.”
Lauding the agreement, Mark Lyonette, National Pharmacy Association (NPA) chief executive said, it shows “the Welsh government’s willingness to back its ambitions for pharmacy service development with financial investment.
“NPA members across Wales provide invaluable access to care, professional support, and are highly trusted. Collaborative leadership in Wales has been a spur to many positive outcomes that benefit patients and we look forward to working with our members to make sure they continue to deliver great care to the people of Wales.”
Helen Morgan MP highlighted that alarming rate of pharmacy closures
Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre