APPG Member Peter Dowd MP initiated a debate in Westminster Hall on the future of the community pharmacy sector, showcasing the hard work of pharmacy teams throughout the COVID pandemic, and their potential to do even more to take pressure off the NHS moving forward.
The “Future of Community Pharmacy” debate, which took place on Tuesday 21st June, was well attended by MPs from all main parties across the House, including a number of members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group. The MPs at the debate were: Peter Dowd MP, Taiwo Owatemi MP, Sir John Hayes MP, Anna Firth MP, Andrew Gwynne MP, Steve Bonnar MP, Jim Shannon MP, along with the Minister for Primary Care, Maria Caulfield MP.
The debate began with MPs paying tribute to the hard work and dedication of the community pharmacists within their constituencies, throughout the Pandemic and beyond. The future of the sector, particularly in supporting the NHS as it faces unprecedented pressures was also discussed, and the steps that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care can take to empower community pharmacists across the country.
During the debate, MPs discussed the need to address funding and workforce pressures faced by their local pharmacies.
APPG Member Peter Dowd MP said: “Our pharmacies bring huge value to the NHS, patients and the public generally. We and the whole country owe them a debt of gratitude”.
APPG Officer Taiwo Owatemi MP said: “It is deeply frustrating to hear about the steady erosion in the availability of community pharmacies”.
Anna Firth MP said: " Enabling people to access specialist services without going through a GP will massively ease pressure on GP services. Upskilling and funding pharmacy can help take pressure off GPs, ambulances and hospitals."
You can read the transcript for the full debate, here.