Ever since I've been a community pharmacist, I've been told by my peers that "we're at a crossroads" - well I think the profession really is now...
Do we engage and transform into a more clinical patient care focussed profession, or do we continue to offer a cost effective distribution service to the NHS? Perhaps there's room for both...an NHS service situated right at the heart of health care which offers distribution service for medication - as well as a raft of medicines management services and clinical services to patients?
But what services should we offer?
How should we get paid?
The answer to these questions are within your gift provided you engage with the debate.
The LPN are running several events in the near future as part of the "call to action" which probably should be re-badged "what do you want community pharmacy to offer in 5 or 10 years time"
Please get involved with one of the meetings...the details for the local meeting at Boldon, organised by Gateshead & South Tyneside and Sunderland LPCs can be found here.