In a recent roundtable that Novartis sponsored We discussed how we can improve the quality of our community pharmacies along with the policy, pharmacy voluntary and social enterprise (VCSE), community and (VCSE) sector, as well as the leaders of primary care.

As the new commissioning arrangements for community pharmacy services are in place, we looked at how interconnected health boards (ICBs) could improve their commissioning and planning processes and change the ways to provide better service to the local community. While we discussed the topic, four main themes emerged.

Establishing relationships

Participants reported that discussions between local chief officers, committees on pharmaceuticals (local organizations which represent pharmacies that are part of the community) as well as ICB representatives on capacity, workload, and accessibility were crucial and contributed to the creation of an inclusive local pharmacy community. This involves establishing close relationships with people who work in local pharmacies and ensuring that there are efficient connections with primary care network (PCN) pharmacists, community pharmacy clinical leaders, and pharmacists from the community. In these these communities, it’s essential to establish a culture of cooperation rather than competition.

Participants also discussed the unique perspective local pharmaceutical committees contribute to discussions. They comprise all pharmacies within the boundaries of a specific area and are aware of the local facilities available such as accessibility, capacity, and workload. This knowledge is essential in planning and establishing services and changing the pathways for community pharmacies.

Participating in the right people at the beginning is essential to generate the right solutions and ideas and improve the relations. Today, in many regions, the general practice can be the dominant factor in primary care meetings, and, in many cases, there needs to be more representation from the community pharmacy. Greater participation of community pharmacies at this level could aid in bringing these experiences and views into sharp focus. To provide high-quality primary health care that meets the needs of the the local population, ICBs have to ensure that there is a balanced representation and effective collaboration among the four pillars of primary care that includes general practice and community pharmacy, as well as dentistry and optical service. Participants provided an example of how this was successful by engaging in weekly discussions with the ICB and the community pharmacy, which provides a constant conversation and frequent interactions.

In collaboration with patients and the general public

Participating with patients from the beginning is crucial in the design of services. Discussions on community pharmacy need to be conducted with local communities to learn about the best practices as well as what is vital to patients, possible improvement opportunities, and the impact on the use of language when speaking to non-professionals, and the requirements of the local community.

Community pharmacy systems can be complex, and not all pharmacies provide the same level of service, which can create diverse experiences and may cause confusion for those who use them. Helping patients and health professionals better understand the community pharmacy process can enhance understanding, expectations, and, ultimately, patient satisfaction. In this regard, National organizations and ICBs can provide information to help develop realistic expectations and knowledge of local variation.

Understanding the needs of the local region

There needs to be more clarity between a consistent nationwide offering for community pharmacies that is easy for consumers to comprehend – and the opportunities to develop local ideas. The pharmacists in our roundtable discussed the role played by local innovation when it comes to providing services tailored to local demands. One example was providing discussions with pharmacists in the community about COVID-19 vaccination to boost the rate of immunization.

There was a desire for new ideas. However, commissioners first have to overcome obstacles like electronic Integration of records for patients and problems with the workforce. Making these issues easier to solve and creating the capacity to innovate is crucial since, until then, the basic requirements of secure access to medicines will precede the added-value products that pharmacy services in the community might provide.

Learning and evaluation

There is a chance to gain knowledge from and implement new strategies. This shared learning culture could help tackle health inequalities, prevent disease, and decrease hospital admissions. Participants stressed the importance of planning in detail, which includes how to measure the effectiveness, assess and increase the scale of the implementation. Innovation processes should be easy and can be added to the current, consistent, and recognized national community pharmacy framework.

Evaluating pilots in the academic field requires funds and specific skills, and staff from community pharmacies should be given opportunities to learn and learn research abilities. Evaluation can include cost efficiency and the experience of patients using services. There’s also a need to consider how and where to share the knowledge. Proper funding, planning, and evaluation are required to scale up successful pilots. Commissioners from ICBs play a part in facilitating the creation of infrastructure to facilitate assessment, development, and learning.

Community pharmacy systems must constantly adapt as they evaluate, improve and grow. The most recent delivery plan to improve access to primary health care includes expanding the community pharmacy’s services. The changes are already in place, and by 2026, all newly registered pharmacists will become independently prescribing. The future of pharmacy in the community is exciting, with significant developments occurring across the nation, and the commissioners play an essential job in assisting local pharmacies to take advantage of the opportunities by establishing connections, working with patients and other members of the public as well as understanding the local requirements and the evaluation and learning.