Pharmacy minister acknowledges sector’s urgent need for sustainable funding at SIGMA Conference

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has pledged to enhance the role of community pharmacies, particularly in deprived areas, by making better use of the
skills of pharmacy teams.

In a video message at the SIGMA UK Community Pharmacy Conference 2024 on Sunday, Kinnock also announced plans to expand the Pharmacy First initiative and introduce
an independent prescribing service, making prescribing an integral part of the service delivered by community pharmacies.

He said: “Since taking on the role of minister of state for care in government, my message has been very clear: we must get our fantastic primary care sector back
on its feet to be able to deliver for our patients.

“This government is committed to shifting care from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention, and pharmacies will play a
vital role in that.”

Kinnock acknowledged the pressures faced by the sector and expressed concerns that so many community pharmacies have exited the market over the past decade.