‘Recast community pharmacy as valuable partner in post-pandemic recovery’

In its closing oral statement to the UK Covid Inquiry Module 3 on Wednesday (27 November), the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) urged the government and
NHS to “recast community pharmacy in their minds as a valuable partner in the post-pandemic recovery, and not as a cost center.”

The Inquiry was also asked to recommend sufficient government investment in the network and infrastructure needed to integrate community pharmacy into the broader
health system and support effective cooperation across the health service.

Additionally, the NPA requested that the significant contribution of community pharmacy to the pandemic response be reflected in the Module 3 findings to “redress
the lack of recognition they received throughout the pandemic.”

The NPA’s closing statement addressed four key issues – the role of community pharmacy, the impact on pharmacy teams, the resilience of the pharmacy network, and
the lack of recognition given to the sector during the pandemic and since.

Lee John-Charles, speaking for the NPA, told the Inquiry that “Community pharmacy became the first port of call for patients seeking health advice during the
pandemic.”

“Many community pharmacies went to great and heroic lengths to ensure that their services were maintained during the pandemic and demonstrated the value of the
network of community pharmacies across the country.”