Published: 28/07/19

Community Pharmacy Scotland is delighted to highlight this report into the ART (Advice, Referral and Treatment) of pharmacy within the community setting.

NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is a significant milestone in the development of pharmacy practice in Scotland and this study illustrates why. The key points of the study include:

The study showed over 84000 advice only consultations take part in the pharmacy network in Scotland

Over 80% of people are completely satisfied with their community pharmacy experience

90% of people want GPs and pharmacists to work closer together for their benefit

Around 60% access their community pharmacy due to their relationship with the pharmacy team

41% of people would go to their GP if the pharmacist was unavailable

Community pharmacy teams have forever known that they dispense advice and refer on to other parts of the healthcare system with no way of knowing the scale of that impact. This study highlights the significant role community pharmacy teams play in encouraging selfmanagement and acting as a touchpoint for Health and Social Care at the heart of the community as a key component of the primary care team.

As well as the headline statistics we also have a report that has experience of team members and the public through case studies. The diverse range of individuals highlight community pharmacy’s impact in terms of lived experience. These are individuals that are supported in communities throughout the country in pharmacies every day. They value their relationship with community pharmacy.

Harry McQuillan CEO of Community Pharmacy Scotland said

‘CPS is delighted with the report which demonstrates the clear value of community pharmacy team. The report allows us to highlight this value with key decision makers. NHS Pharmacy First Scotland will only add to this report in terms of data. This report, alongside this new service, should support further development of Pharmacy First so that the right person can receive the right care in the right place, with that place so often being the pharmacy at the centre of the individuals community.’

CPS would like to thank everyone who contributed to and helped produce the report the report.