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<p>Pharmacy already plays a vital role in supporting the health of people in their
local communities, providing high quality care and support, improving people's health
and reducing health inequalities. However, as we move to more integrated care, there
is real potential for pharmacists and their teams to play an even greater role in
the future, particularly in keeping people healthy, supporting those with long term
conditions and helping make sure patients and the National Health Service get the
best use from medicines.</p><p> </p><p>NHS England's public consultation, <em>Improving
care through community pharmacy –</em> <em>a call to action</em>, which closed on
18 March, has provided an important opportunity to explore the contribution community
pharmacists and their teams can make. This will inform a strategic framework for commissioning
wider primary care services in the autumn. A copy of the consultation document is
at:</p><p> </p><p>www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/qual-clin-lead/calltoaction/pharm-cta/</p><p>
</p><p>In the meantime, NHS England's <em>The earlier, the better</em> campaign, launched
in January 2014, specifically sought to raise the profile of community pharmacy with
the public, to increase the number of people accessing community pharmacy services
when they have a minor ailment and reduce pressures on other parts of the NHS.</p><p>
</p><p>On 14 April, the Department and NHS England published <em>Transforming Primary
Care - Safe, proactive, personalised care for those who need it most</em>. This sets
out plans for more proactive, personalised and joined up care, part of which is harnessing
the potential of pharmacists. This recognises the vital role that pharmacists have
in optimising medicines use, helping to prevent avoidable hospital admissions and
supporting people to manage their own care. A copy has been placed in the Library.</p><p>
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