Commenting on the Government’s budget delivered today, Chair of RPS in England Tase Oputu said:

“Pharmacists are crucial to enhancing patient safety and supporting the best use of medicines across the NHS. It’s vital we invest in pharmacy so that patients can get the medicines they need when they need them. To provide care closer to home and address health inequalities, patients must be able to access community pharmacies wherever they may live.

“At the same time, there is a pressing need to invest in hospital pharmacy, upgrade ageing facilities, and accelerate the roll-out of electronic prescribing.

“When patients fall ill, they shouldn’t have to worry about the bill. Amid a cost of living crisis and a renewed focus on prevention, I would urge the Government to scrap prescription charges and remove an avoidable barrier to accessing healthcare for patients in England.

“The Labour manifesto included a welcome focus on pharmacist prescribing. This must now be backed by appropriate funding to maximise the potential to make a difference for patients. As pharmacists continue to play a more clinical role in the health service, we must see a level playing field for financial support for pharmacy students too via the Learning Support Fund.”

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