Pharmacists working in GP surgeries is an opportunity, not a threat

The Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society have launched an exciting initiative where pharmacists will be working in GP surgeries (The Pharmaceutical Journal 2015;294:353). I have been delighted to see the media response and the response from NHS England and other professions. However, I am saddened by the negativity within our own profession.

Although I am aware this is a particularly difficult time for community pharmacy colleagues, surely this is a time to break down the barriers and work together as a profession. There has never been any discussion about money coming out of the global sum to fund this new role. Instead, the intention is for money to come out of GP or clinical commissioning group funds and by centrally bidding for things like research money.

There are opportunities for pharmacists from all sectors to work more closely with GPs. Our medical colleagues acknowledge that pharmacists are best placed to manage patients’ medicines in primary care. I call on colleagues to take this opportunity forward.