The Galbraith Report and The Government White Paper on Pharmacy

Dispex recently posted out our press release concerning the Galbraith Report and the White Paper [see below].

Some commentators appear to be very negative and if they are not careful it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

In the interim, Dispex’s views are that the correct strategy is as follows:

·         Your house in Order as regards professional pharmaceutical services.

·         Lobbying patients to write to their MP. - Contact Dispex for template letter

·         Solutions to be offered during the consultation process by Dispex Advisory Panel. - Contact Keira@surelines.com

·         Insurance Policy of opening a Pharmacy to be considered. - Contact pharmacy@surelines.com

            Click here for more information on Surelines' Pharmacy Application Services

We are optimistic about the consultation since Dispex will be proposing solutions to central government based on a ‘level playing field’, competition and access and both types of providers being treated in the same way.

All Dispex Members should attend Dispex 2008 to obtain the consensus opinion from the colleagues and key NHS opinion leaders present.
Contact Jade Pirard on telephone: 01604 859000

or email: jade@surelines.com

In addition two pharmacists, a professor of law, Joy Wingfield and Sue Ashwell, the leading author of the DSQS and Department of Health lead for Dispensing Doctor input into the Galbraith Report, will be speaking. Sue Ashwell’s opinions carry much weight with the NHS employers and she is considered a leading NHS expert on Dispensing Doctor Dispensing and their standards.

We will find out more on Saturday June 14^th  at the East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham

We will also be providing at Dispex 2008 expert advice on the need or otherwise to open or convert to a community pharmacy.

DOING NOTHING IS NO LONGER AN OPTION

Press Release

We Are All Dispensing Contractors Now! 

The Dispex Buying Group has had an opportunity to study the Galbraith Report and the White Paper on Pharmacy and welcomes the challenges and opportunities for Dispensing Doctor dispensing and its pharmacy associate members. 

The opportunity to provide pharmaceutical services on a clinical basis, predicated upon accepted service standards is something we welcome. Dispensing Doctors will need to accept the requirement for recognised qualifications, and accepted service standards. Philosophically all dispensing contractors will be required to work to similar, robust standards, regardless of their contractor status. 

The provision of new pharmaceutical services for the community will become the remit of the PCT, who will assess the pharmaceutical needs of the community, as its starting point for commissioning new dispensing services or removing current dispensing contractors who do not meet accepted standards. 

The Galbraith Report and White Paper enshrines the move away from pharmaceutical healthcare provision being funded by core dispensing services towards a model where funding is based upon the clinical and professional standards of the dispensing contractor. 

The Government is determined to ensure that the provision of pharmaceutical services should be equal, in both rural and non-rural locations and the anomaly of location being the basis for dispensing rights, will be removed in favour of dispensing rights being based upon professional standards. 

Dispex welcomes the proposal that rural pharmacy and dispensing practice will be on a level playing field, but accepts that there will be challenges for some Dispex members to meet the required standards. Dispex is committed to assist rural practice in achieving full compliance with any future pharmaceutical specifications.