Derek Thomas – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department of Health

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Derek Thomas on 2016-10-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of changes in funding for pharmacies on patient safety.

David Mowat

The Government’s proposals for community pharmacy in 2016/17 and beyond, on which we have consulted, are being considered against the public sector equality duty, the family test and the relevant duties of my Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health under the National Health Service Act 2006. The latter includes the duty as to improvement in quality of services, such as the safety of services.

All pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacies in England are regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which protects, promotes and maintains the health, safety and wellbeing of members of the public by upholding standards and public trust in pharmacy. Also, under NHS pharmaceutical services, community pharmacies are required to meet clinical governance requirements, which encourage continuing quality improvement, including through risk management.