Primary care access plan could help narrow health inequalities, says pharmacy leader

The government’s plan to boost access to primary care by enhancing the role of community pharmacists offers the potential to narrow health inequalities as well as reducing the pressure on GPs, a pharmacy leader has said.

The plan1 unveiled on 9 May, will enable patients in England to access prescription drugs for seven common conditions without seeing a GP. The plan is to boost patient access and help overstretched general practices,2 with the help of £645m of government investment.

Speaking at a Westminster Health Forum event on the future for general practice and primary care in England on 12 May, Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association, welcomed the policy and the additional investment. The association represents large pharmacy operators in …