After engaging with contractors and stakeholders of NHS Community Pharmacy, the pharmacy RSG (review steering group) is planning to put proposals to contractors’ vote before Easter 2022.
The group, made up of representatives from the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, Company Chemists’ Association and independent community pharmacy, was formed in late 2020 to explore the future of community pharmacy network support.
After engagement with the sector, the RSG has defined the roles of the local and national representative bodies, considered the contractor decision-making process, and worked through analysis and suggestions on local representation.
It is now focusing on national representation and support.
RSG said the task ahead is complex due to the diversity of views it receives on the subject and recognising the statutory role of Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) and the Local Pharmaceutical Committees (LPCs).
It said the process “is taking longer than the RSG had initially hoped.
“To get our proposals right, we need further conversations with the wider sector and with PSNC.”
To achieve the right outcome, the group will hold a series of engagement events in January, alongside discussions with PSNC and the national pharmacy trade associations.
January engagements
RSG will hold three events on January 26th, 27th and 28th during which RSG members and the programme team will update attendees about the group's work, the draft proposals for change, and the next stages of the process.
Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre