Numark chairman Harry McQuillan has said GPs’ plan to cap the number of patients they see each day to 25 as part of industrial action is a “great opportunity” for pharmacies in England to make the most of Pharmacy First.

Insisting he recognised that the limited availability of GPs will see more patients turn to very busy pharmacy teams and calling for patients to remain calm inside pharmacies, McQuillan (pictured) said the sector can again show how important it is to local communities.

“We see this as a great opportunity for community pharmacies to demonstrate their ongoing value and commitment to patient care,” McQuillan told Independent Community Pharmacist.

“By leveraging the Pharmacy First framework, they have the opportunity to make a real difference in their communities. Of course, this is a double-edged sword, as many community pharmacies are already very busy and I ask for understanding from patients and the public, that access to our highly trained teams might take a little longer than we all would like.”

McQuillan said it was “more important than ever” the public is aware of Pharmacy First so the community pharmacy network can “fully embrace the service”.

Insisting “now would be a good time” to make the service “open access”, he said Numark was supporting its members to reach Pharmacy First thresholds and secure monthly payments. 

“Through the use of patient support materials provided by Numark, our members can effectively educate and empower patients to make informed decisions about their health,” McQuillan said.

“We urge all Numark members to actively utilise these resources to promote awareness of Pharmacy First and the vital role pharmacies play in supporting patient health. This is an opportune moment for community pharmacies to showcase their capabilities and solidify their role as trusted healthcare providers.”