�NPA (National Pharmacy Association) Chairman, Paul Bennett, comments on some of the items discussed at the July 2008 board meeting:
1 NPA Strategic Purpose
"The NPA exists to serve members. Our purpose is to represent, support and protect the interests of all community pharmacy owners across the UK. The Board was pleased to endorse the vision defined by the Chief Executive of a membership body that will "serve to lead". Over the coming weeks and months the Associations activities will centre on fashioning that visual modality a world through potent representation and innovative support services. I look ahead to sharing the details of the programme with our members very shortly."
2 Minor Ailments Scheme in Northern Ireland
"The Board was gravely concerned by the approach interpreted by the Department of Health in Northern Ireland with wish to the roll knocked out of a national minor ailments strategy. Our colleagues in PCC have presented entirely sensible proposals to the Government with regard to the scheme that have been rejected without explanation.
It is not often that pharmacy bares its teeth - merely this situation requires a clear, unambiguous position. The PCC and UCA sustain called upon this system to support the resolution already carried by their members. The unanimous response of this Board is to recommend that all NPA members withdraw from the minor ailments scheme in Northern Ireland with immediate issue. It is my sincere hope that this action will gad the Department to rejoin to the negotiating table so that patients and the public in the Province toilet benefit from this avail."
3 PIP codification
"The NPA and CMPMedica are partners in the PIP computer code project that provides the data spine to much of the electronic communication in pharmacy systems. This Board believes the benefit of having a exclusive dataset for pharmacy electronic communications is an asset to be coveted in which chemist's shop should invest. We ar aware that recent changes in the structure and pricing by CMPMedica have caused headache amongst NPA members. I have consequently asked the NPA to work in partnership with CMPMedica to improve communication of the changes and benefits of this important project to NPA members."
4 Chris Jenkins - modern Board phallus for Wales
"I would like to receive our newest Board Member, Chris, to his first Board coming together in Mallinson House. We are always open to fresh thought process and new ideas and I am thankful for the part Chris has made over the iI days. I have no doubt that the get and insight that Chris has as an independent contractor in a rural constituency will ensure we are inclusive of the concerns of NPA members in a similar situation."
5 Pharmacy White Paper - a collaborative approach
"I was pleased to report to my young man Board Members that a spirit of collaboration between the chemist's shop bodies has underpinned the approach that will be taken with regard to the Pharmacy White Paper, an approaching that will benefit the profession generally and NPA members specifically. This approach path has delivered another dividend - we are now seeing a coming together of views on the Electronic Prescription Service in England."
6 NPA Response to PSNC and DDA joint statement
"The NPA remains broadly supportive of the proposals with wish to dispensing doctors contained within the Pharmacy White Paper. The NPA is clear that this issue is a matter that needs to be resolved between the representatives of dispensing doctors and the Department of Health. The Board awaits the audience promised by the Department with respect to 100 hour contracts, appliance contractors and dispensing doctors where we will give the proposals on each our full thoughtfulness."
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