Promoting pharmacy

Pharmacists are one of the most trusted professions in the UK. As the recognised experts in medicine, they play a vital role in maintaining the health of the nation, helping relieve suffering and managing long term conditions - from drug discovery and development through to delivery to the patient.

As an organisation we work to promote the work that pharmacists do so that it is understood by governments, other healthcare professionals and the general public.

We regularly meet with politicians, civil servants and stakeholders from other pharmacy organisations to highlight the role that pharmacists can play in meeting key health targets

Our current priorities are:

• Influencing legislative change
• Public health
• Medicines safety
• Professional empowerment
• Information management and technology

Activity is underway across Great Britain to meet these priorities, including the development of a range of standards and guidance.

In addition, our structure recognises the difference in the way healthcare is delivered in the three countries of Great Britain. As a result we also have activities in England, Scotland and Wales which are unique to those countries.

In England, there is a great amount of change happening as a result of the ‘Equality and excellence: liberating the NHS’ White Paper and the subsequent reform agenda. In recognition of this we are also currently prioritising:

• Leading on NHS reforms for pharmacy