Speaking to www.pharmacy-life.co.uk, BMA Northern Ireland has issued its support for the development of in-store services within pharmacies – but warned against the potential cost repercussions for patients which might occur.
‘GPs welcome the opportunity to work with pharmacists collaboratively, which ultimately benefits the patients we jointly serve,’ said Dr Tom Black, Chair of BMA’s Northern Ireland General Practitioners’ Committee (NIGPC).
‘One great example of this can be found here in Northern Ireland where GPs have a close working relationship with community pharmacists. GP Federations – an NIGPC innovation aimed at providing better and more responsive healthcare to patients in the community – recently brought in practice-based pharmacists thanks to funding from the Department of Health over the next five years.
‘In addition, while pharmacies can play an important role in supporting practices deliver NHS minor ailment schemes we should avoid the slippery slope that ends up with patients having to pay for things they would otherwise get free on the NHS. What we really need is significant investment in general practice to allow an expansion of the workforce, including the employment of pharmacists in the practice, to enable easier access to appointments.’
