MP visits local pharmacy

It was wonderful to have Conservative candidate Rebecca Smith visit Ivybridge Pharmacy this morning to talk with the pharmacist and team about some of the important topics impacting pharmacy, and the wider healthcare system. She was joined by Independent contractor representative, Sian Retallick.

Rebecca has been a long-standing supporter of pharmacy and has spent a lot of time meeting with pharmacy owners and their staff over the years in her role as parliamentary candidate. She says that “the role that [pharmacies] play within the wider health service is essential but for too long overlooked.”

With the new Pharmacy First service, pharmacies are in a great position to be able to support the nation’s health and wellbeing and Rebecca welcomes the service saying that it is “raising the profile of local pharmacies and enabling them to broaden their offer in line with their clinical skills.”

Sian added: “Patients rely on their community pharmacies, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, and we should be able to reduce pressures on general practice and hospitals, but without adequate funding this just isn’t possible.”

The #SaveOurPharmacies campaign has been set up in response to the current crisis in pharmacy, to show your support use the hashtag on social media.