08 March 2008

Letter to C+D Magazine by Mandeep Mudhar, Head of Commercial Services, UniChem Ltd

I was very much encouraged by the articles I read in C+D (Feb 23rd) regarding pharmacy-led services. It is good to have something positive to read about, amongst all of the recent downbeat headlines and I think we sometimes forget that despite unimaginary pressures all leading to reduced profitability in pharmacy, we still have many pharmacists working really hard to provide critical patient services.

I was pleased to read about the plans by the Welsh Assembly for an extended role for pharmacy in the management of chronic conditions. It looks like the Welsh government at least, is following Scotland’s lead and is now committing to some sort of tangible pathway and money, for advanced services in pharmacy. At UniChem we are, of course, also particularly pleased by the confirmation of a second year of funding for the Coventry obesity management project. If there is one alarming health problem in the UK, it is obesity and we have proof that pharmacy can help solve the problem. I hope that the recent APPG meeting indicates that for obesity management services at least, we might at last be taking a step in the right direction.

We still have a long way to go, but one thing that you can’t deny is that the findings presented at the APPG meeting showed that without a doubt pharmacy can and is delivering on its part of the deal. In turn the Welsh Assembly’s plans set a great example to the DH and show that there is a desperate need for a more solid commitment like this in England. The APPG meeting has once again made it clear that there is a need across the board, for there to be nationally funded pharmacy services not just for obesity, but also for other conditions such as asthma, heart disease and diabetes. This is the only way that a long term future for pharmacy services may be secured.

Mandeep Mudhar, Head of Commercial Services, UniChem Ltd.