The Health and Social Care Committee also described the funding framework for community pharmacy as not fit for purpose and overly complex.
MPs have urged the Government to “get a grip” on drugs shortages and commission an independent review of the medicines supply chain.
The policy allows patients to be treated for seven common conditions at their local pharmacy without the need for a GP appointment or prescription. The committee warned that patients could be reluctant to visit pharmacies for clinical services if medication is out of stock, and said Pharmacy First will “fail if people keep having to return to their GP”.
However, MPs described it as not fit for purpose and overly complex, and claimed it is contributing to the financial pressures pharmacies are facing. It called for the publication of a workforce plan for the sector to ensure new pharmacists have the correct supervision, training and learning time. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association , said: “We are overjoyed to finally hear some clear thinking from an independent review body as we have been shouting loud and clear for years now that the community pharmacy contract is broken, and that our medicines supply system needs urgent review.”
“If invested in and supported the pharmacy network can be a huge asset to our NHS and help lift the pressures elsewhere in our healthcare system.”
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