BREXIT
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to look at regulations around drug manufacturing and clinical trial site inspections amongst many other issues.
‘Naturally we are all wondering how Brexit will affect UK pharmacy, but I think that a lot of the issues raised are more generic regarding healthcare
JOHN D’ARCY,
MANAGING DIRECTOR, NUMARK
There is clearly huge uncertainty in the market following the referendum – it is simply too early to predict what will be the impact of UK leaving EU.
The uncertainty is reflected in the economy with the stock market taking a relatively small hit form which it has recovered. However this belies some of the sub trends in trading. The likes of the banking, housing and property sectors have taken a substantial hit. However, big pharma has benefitted from an increase in share price - in large part because healthcare is a necessity and so a relative safe haven for investment.
From a community pharmacy perspective, an exit from the EU is unlikely to make much difference. In contrast to the general principle of globalisation, healthcare is going increasingly local. From a UK perspective, we have four systems for each of the UK countries and there is little dependence upon European intervention. And although we are obliged to implement a large amount of European based legislation, overall policy and budget is ultimately set by native governments. So, specifically from a Northern Ireland perspective, there is a high level of dependency on local leaders to deliver a strategy that works for its own community.
10 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
in general, such as workforce issues, access to treatment abroad and working time directives. There are some areas in which the EU has been key in driving forward, but, as far as I’m concerned, nothing has changed practically or physically - at the moment.
‘The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has already made it clear that she believes that Westminster requires a legislative consent motion (LCM) from the Scottish Parliament to enact Brexit, as it impacts directly on our Parliament’s devolved responsibilities and I know that civil servants are currently working to clarify our position. So, as I said, while all of this activity is going on behind the scenes, I’m continuing to focus on the ‘big areas’ of work in Scottish pharmacy as a whole.
‘My main focus at the moment remains in the five major areas, which, I feel, concern Scottish pharmacy at the moment, ie, pharmaceutical care, safer use of medicines, evidence-based outcomes, strategic engagement, and pharmacy education and professionalism.
‘As a profession, we need to find out how we can work within the new transformed health service and how pharmacists can best be utilised within that service. We also need to get to a place where the Scottish pharmacy contract is much more focussed on patient care and areas of quality improvement and pharmaceutical care.
‘One of my major focuses since coming into post was to revisit Prescription for Excellence (PfE) and to look at our model of pharmaceutical care. When I took up the post, it was made very clear to me from the outset by pharmacists that new life needed breathed back into front-line pharmacy services. For that reason the ‘refresh’ of PfE had been welcomed across the board. That refresh is
nearing completion and we’ll soon be moving on to focus on other related areas, which require attention, such as pharmacists working in tandem with GP practices.
‘Clinical and digital processes have also come under the spotlight. Moving forward means that we have to make better use of technology and revisiting PfE has highlighted this. We’re also working on improving the IT for CMS and sorting electronic prescribing for independent prescribers, of which there are now more than 1000 pharmacy prescribers in Scotland – with more in training!
‘There’s so much happening in Scottish pharmacy at the moment and I’m delighted to be part of the process. That process will continue for the foreseeable future regardless of Brexit, so that, by the time anything major does happen regarding our exit from Europe, Scottish pharmacy will be strong, vibrant and clinical, but will remain totally patient centred.’ •
IAN STRACHAN, CHAIR, NATIONAL PHARMACY ASSOCIATION
The uncertainty and questions around how Brexit will play out mean it’s difficult to answer this question. In the coming weeks and months, as things hopefully become clearer, we’ll be shedding more light on what the result will mean for the sector. You can be certain that there will be a significant impact. No sector of UK industry or public service will be unaffected.
ROYAL PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY
We will continue to work with the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and UK Parliament to ensure the views of the pharmacy profession are heard as well as providing our expert advice and guidance on any issues relating to medicines and pharmacy.
We will continue to support pharmacists practising in Great Britain through any changes in medicines legislation, regulation or practice through both our professional standards and guidance.
The RPS is showing through action how we support the pharmacy profession inside and outside of Great Britain. For example, we have recently developed strong links with Iceland where the RPS Faculty and Foundation programmes have been taken up by our colleague pharmacists. Every year, the International Pharmaceutical Federation, (FIP), organises the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where thousands of pharmacists meet, learn, share and exchange views. We will be hosting the 78th FIP World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Glasgow in 2018.
We will do all we can to ensure that pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists from all countries continue to feel welcome in our Society, as well as the country’s pharmacies, universities, hospitals, pharmaceutical industry and other settings where the diverse pharmacy workforce is playing a vital role in improving healthcare for patients and the public.
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