I fear for anyone that works in a pharmacy, or uses a pharmacy. However, there is some hope.
Recently, the BBC broadcast a 30 minute documentary exploring the increasing workplace pressures affecting pharmacists and support staff within the world of Pharmacy. More specifically, it focuses on Boots. No surprise as it's the largest pharmacy chain in the country, as well as being the most notorious for the way it operates.
It's become one of the BBC's most watched programmes in recent years. The UK's infrastructure is at breaking point - emergency services, health care, police - and the problems that have been brewing for so long within pharmacy will threaten every one one of us, because all of us need pharmacies for our health care needs.
Yet, the GPhC (the regulator of pharmacists and pharmacies) has repeatedly declined to exercise any action against Boots. Just a year ago, the company was found to be misusing NHS funds, but the GPhC did nothing. Following the BBC's exposé, the regulator did release a statement:
“We take the clear view that setting the right staffing levels is best done by the people responsible for managing a pharmacy on the ground, rather than by the regulator at a distance. It’s our role to provide assurance to the public that standards are met. If they are not, we take steps to ensure the necessary improvements are made.
Sadly this doesn't line up with the reality. Under a Freedom of Information Act request, it's been found that the GPhC has never taken action against a single pharmacy (or its owner) for failing to maintain adequate staffing levels. Considering there are over 11,000 pharmacies in England alone, and Boots owns 2500 in the UK, it could be considered suspicious.
They claim that they lack the legal powers to discipline employers, which the the PDA is currently exploring. The PDA is an organisation representing and helping pharmacists with workplace issues. They are behind the recent decision to hold a ballot within Boots, and contributed to the BBC's exposé.
So, there is hope. There are people within the world of Phamacy working for change. The public must also demand better pharmacies. The fast and convenient "fast food pharmacy" that Boots wants to create is no substitute for the real thing.
Below are the links to articles I referred to.
Daily Mail Boots accused of boosting its profits by milking NHS for cash: Pharmacists 'told to carry out unnecessary medicine reviews'
PDA BBC Documentary "Boots: Pharmacists under Pressure?"
GPhC GPhC responds to BBC Inside Out
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