Welcome back to the APPG on Pharmacy weekly Parliamentary update. Set out below is a summary of key parliamentary and policy developments in community pharmacy from the week just gone.
Announcements
On Monday 10th February, the APPG on Pharmacy held an oral evidence session as part of its ongoing inquiry into medicine shortages.
We’d like to thank Mark Dayan (Policy Analyst and Head of Public Affairs Nuffield Trust), Gila Sacks (Medicines Director, Department for Health and Social Care), Martin Sawer (Executive Director, Healthcare Distribution Association UK), Mark Samuels (Chief Executive, British Generics Manufacturing Association) and Colette Marshall (Chief Executive, Diabetes UK) for their contributions to the panel.
Panellists discussed issues and solutions regarding regulatory barriers, system readiness and the merits of national stock monitoring.
The outputs from the meeting, along with findings from the written call for evidence, will inform the APPG’s forthcoming report. Information on anticipated publication timelines will be published in due course.
Key Parliamentary Activity
Oral Contributions
HIV Testing Week – 13th February 2025 – Full transcript available here.
David Mundell (Conservative) and Mr Alex Barros-Curtis (Labour) on PrEP access issues in high street pharmacies.
Written Questions:
There were 9 written questions relating to Pharmacy answered in the House of Commons and House of Lords this week. These can all be viewed on Hansard here.
Shockat Adam (Independent) on financial support for pharmacy students
Dr Roz Savage (Liberal Democrats) on plans for a pharmacy specific workforce strategy
Dr Roz Savage (Liberal Democrats) on pharmacy finance
Dr Roz Savage (Liberal Democrats) and Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on medicines supply
Shivani Raja (Conservative) on pharmacy contracts
Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on impact of community pharmacy on primary care