NEWS PSNI PREPARES REPORT ON CONSULTATION
The Future of Pharmacy Regulation in Northern Ireland consultation closed on 14 June 2016 and a report is expected to be published by the end of the first week in July.
The consultation was launched in March by the then Health Minister, Simon Hamilton, to determine how regulation of the pharmacy profession in Northern Ireland would be delivered in the future.
‘The pharmacy profession plays an important and valued role in the delivery of health care in Northern Ireland,’ Minister Hamilton said at the time. ‘However I consider that now is the right time to review the current arrangements for pharmacy regulation in Northern Ireland to ensure that we have modern, fit for purpose arrangements that ensure public safety and which carry public confidence.
‘I consider that the current arrangement where the regulation and professional leadership of pharmacy is contained in the same organisation must change.’
The consultation presented a number of options to address the situation:
• that regulation of the pharmacy profession would continue to be delivered by the Society ie, as both a regulator and professional leadership body
• that a standalone Northern Ireland regulator would be appointed
• to join the current regulatory model operating across the other three UK countries provided by the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council)
The NPA has already expressed its concern that the consultation did not fully investigate the impact of a range of options to modernise regulation and professional pharmacy.
‘Neither the public nor registrants are provided with sufficient information on all available options to make an informed response on the most effective future model,’ the NPA said in a statement. ‘The NPA believes that the single most important factor in delivering modernised and strengthened statutory regulation is the assurance of public safety. We believe that this consultation does not fully evidence the improvements to public safety which would be envisaged by a UK-wide regulatory arrangement.’
BOOTS UK CREATES UNIQUE DIGITAL SHOPPING EXPERIENCE
Boots UK has announced that it has launched - in conjunction with IBM, Sales Assist, an IBM MobileFirst for iOS app, across its UK stores to make it easier and simpler for customers to get hold of the products they need.
‘At Boots UK we’re investing in innovative new technology to further improve the retail experience for our customers, and mobility is at the forefront of this transformation,’ said Robin Phillips, Director of Omnichannel and Development at Boots UK. ‘By developing Sales Assist, in collaboration with IBM and Apple, and launching it on the 3,700 iPads in our stores, we’re integrating our digital and in-store presence to deliver an even better shopping environment for customers. The unique tool allows our colleagues to quickly show product
40 - PHARMACY IN FOCUS
information, ratings and reviews, look up inventory online and make recommendations based on online analytics, all from the shop floor. It will help even our smallest stores feel like a flagship shop, with access to the entire Boots range at their fingertips.’
The new app taps into the product databases on
boots.com with iPad, and uses its analytics to enable colleagues to easily make personal recommendations to customers, such as additional items or alternatives available, as well as view item location and online inventory. If a product is not in stock in store, the Boots colleague can simply use the app to locate the item in another Boots store nearby or offer to order the product online to be collected in the store of their choice the next day.
NPA NEWS
With the June NI Drug Tariff reducing reimbursement price on generics in the region of ten per cent, it is no wonder contractors are looking to ways of introducing cost savings and maximising revenue. The potential consequences for NI of government cuts to pharmacy funding in England expected in the autumn is also cause for concern.
The NPA recently launched our ‘Essential Pharmacy Business Pack’ to help members protect their business against potential financial loss. The pack includes everything from job descriptions and information on apprenticeships to social media tips and advice for developing services. We have also been advising members about up skilling their workforce to meet demand.
One way of maximising revenue is through offering a private PGD service. The NPA is offering highly competitive rates for a full range of flu, oral and travel PGDs. Members hoping to deliver a vaccination service can now book face to face vaccination training, which will be held on Saturday 13 August in Jury’s Inn, Belfast. Two sessions are currently available. To book training please email
npapgdservices@npa.co.uk.
We are also excited to announce this year’s NPA Northern Ireland Conference, to be held in the autumn. The event, which takes place on Wednesday 28 September, will include a comprehensive programme of business and practice advice, and will help members take practical steps to improve working environments, profitability and service to patients. More information will be circulated in due course.
Finally, to help members meet their regulatory and legislative requirements we would recommend members check out the NI activity planner (
www.npa.co.uk/information-and-guidance/administrative-activity- planner/) which summarises the various administrative tasks and helps members keep on top of deadlines. We will also be launching a new practical resource to help members understand the requirements of the Community Pharmacy Assurance Framework and signpost to support available to ensure compliance. This will be a live resource, to be updated accordingly as member and stakeholder feedback is received. For more information visit the NPA website or contact Anne McAlister (
a.mcalister@
npa.co.uk) or Victoria Knowles (
v.knowles@
npa.co.uk).
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