The PDA has been an active participant in the stakeholder group informing this process, and recognises the potential for these changes to enhance patient care by enabling pharmacists to focus more on clinical services. However, the success of this initiative will depend on how it is implemented and whether it truly supports the professional role of pharmacists as the medicine’s experts.
The PDA represents over 40,000 members across the UK, who have consistently expressed that any reform must ensure pharmacists are more, not less, accessible to patients. It is time that PDA members’ voices are meaningfully integrated into the development of professional standards and guidance during the transition period. Ensuring patient safety, maintaining professional autonomy, and supporting the wellbeing of pharmacists and the pharmacy teams must remain central to this reform.
The PDA strongly cautions against any blurring of professional boundaries. As highlighted in the Leng Review into physician associates and anaesthesia associates, role confusion can undermine patient safety, professional identity, and public trust. Pharmacy must learn from this and ensure that pharmacists retain responsibility for clinical decision-making and patient-facing care.
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians each bring unique and valuable skills to the pharmacy team. These roles should be complementary, not interchangeable. The PDA hopes to see that the government’s position remains in support of pharmacists being physically present in each pharmacy, where their clinical expertise can be fully utilised. The PDA supports the concept of skill mix, where pharmacy technicians are empowered to take responsibility for technical tasks such as the assembly and preparation of medicines, provided there is a clear and robust framework for authorisation and accountability.
The PDA’s response to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) consultation made clear that the physical presence of a pharmacist is essential to safe and effective pharmaceutical care. The PDA also called for a legal definition of ‘authorisation’ and safeguards to ensure that the Responsible Pharmacist (RP) retains oversight and clinical accountability. These safeguards are vital to avoid any drift toward remote or diluted supervision models.
Ultimately, any legislation and regulation must move the pharmacist, as the medicine’s expert, closer to the patient. The subsequent phase will address regulatory frameworks, rules, and professional practice guidance. All components must be aligned to safeguard patient safety and to enable pharmacists to fully realise their professional potential. The PDA remains committed to ensuring that these changes continue to support pharmacists in their practice.
It is vital to realising the full clinical potential of pharmacists and ensuring that patients benefit from their unique expertise in medicines and therapeutics. This is how the full potential of pharmacy is unlocked in the NHS and delivers the safe, accessible, and expert care that patients deserve.
The PDA looks forward to continuing its engagement with the DHSC and other stakeholders to ensure that these changes are implemented in a way that secures patient safety, supports pharmacists, and strengthens the profession.
Learn more
- Pharmacist time freed up to treat patients more
- The Leng review: an independent review into physician associate and anaesthesia associate professions
- PDA responds to DHSC consultation on pharmacy supervision
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