The Royal Pharmaceutical Society in England has welcomed “a number of positive policy developments in the last 12 months”, one year on from the launch of its 10-year Vision for Pharmacy Professional Practice with The King’s Fund.

A new paper looking at progress one year on reflects on each of the six key themes in the Vision and identifies opportunities for further progress. “The progress made in the 12 months since launch, when considered against a 10-year timeline, is significant and should be celebrated,” the RPS says.

The report says key milestones have been:

• The publication of the NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan, recognising the need for greater support for the pharmacy workforce
• The development of a Vision for Community Pharmacy by Community Pharmacy England, the Nuffield Trust and The King’s Fund
• Work on digital integration to enable community pharmacists to update a clinical record
• The launch of Pharmacy First, expanding the clinical services provided by pharmacists in the community.
• The publication of the public consultation of pharmacy supervision, to enable better use of skill mix across pharmacy teams.

However, the report says progress has not all been positive. “Workforce shortages continue to present a significant challenge across all areas of practice. These shortages have led to severe difficulties for numerous providers. Furthermore, when combined with a constrained funding model in community pharmacies, these challenges have led to closures, subsequently diminishing patient access in some localities.”

Chair of the English Pharmacy Board, Tase Oputu, said: “The significant progress in the last 12 months demonstrates the positive steps forward that the health service has made in recognising and rewarding the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy teams.

“Additional investment in the community pharmacy sector, development of prescribing pilots, and further digital integrations are just some examples of the vision becoming a reality. But continued pressures on the workforce and the need for sustainable funding mean there is still more to do to transform, unlock and enable the full breadth of opportunities for pharmacy teams.”