Home > Professionals > Pharmacists > A primary care pharmacist's view

A primary care pharmacist's view

Alpana Mair is a primary care pharmacist with the Edinburgh Community Healthcare Partnership. Her role includes promoting cost-effective prescribing, running medicines management projects and clinics and supporting community pharmacists in implementing innovative services such as supplementary prescribing and public health initiatives. She recently took part in a project looking at the impact of pharmaceutical care on patients with long-term conditions.

Encouraging innovation

By setting a clear framework and set of standards, the GPhC aims to keep up to date with changing practice and allow for innovation. Alpana welcomes this approach: 'Regulation can't be too rigid, or it stifles innovation.' In setting standards, she feels strongly that the GPhC needs to dovetail its work with that of professional bodies.

Raising public awareness

The GPhC plans to regulate the expanded clinical role of pharmacists, something Alpana feels will help make more effective use of their knowledge and skills. 'The public trust us,' she says, 'but they don't know enough about what we can do. Pharmacists are highly qualified professionals who could be doing much more. For example, community pharmacists in Scotland can prescribe for minor ailments for people who don't pay for prescriptions. There are lots of opportunities for expanding this kind of work further.'

Better patient care

Alpana believes that both pharmacists and the public stand to benefit from the establishment of the GPhC. 'In terms of public safety, I think the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain has fulfilled the role of regulator very well,' she says. 'But it will be good for the profession to have two bodies with different responsibilities. Ultimately that will mean better patient care.'

Mandatory continuing professional development

In Alpana's view, CPD is essential: 'Things change so quickly, it's vital that we are up to date and safe to practise. The GPhC will need to work closely with professional bodies to make sure that CPD is relevant.' 

Listening to what pharmacists have to say

Alpana hopes that the GPhC's commitment to consultation will mean that pharmacists' views are properly represented. She has some reservations about the make-up of the GPhC's Council, as she feels it needs a strong pharmacy perspective. However, she feels that this concern can be addressed through wider consultation with pharmacists and professional bodies.