Would Scottish Conservatives’ pharmacy plan improve patient care?
The Scottish Conservatives, the largest opposition party in the Scottish Parliament, have proposed a greater role for pharmacists, including prescribing rights and access to patient records.
The five-point plan also wants pharmacists to lead medicine reviews for patients and calls for a workforce plan to enhance the role of pharmacists in settings such as GP surgeries. It also says that 24-hour opening for pharmacies should be explored.
Pharmacy bodies including Community Pharmacy Scotland have largely welcomed the proposals, although they called for more evidence on the benefits of 24-hour opening.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said that many of the proposals were in line with the Scottish Government’s own pharmacy approach, which includes increasing pharmacists’ clinical role and responsibilities.
Further information
Scottish Conservatives: A five point plan for pharmacies
Scotsman: Pharmacists should prescribe drugs to ease pressure on Scots
Scottish Government: Pharmacy strategy from 2017