Pharmacy Voice has today (Thursday 6th September) launched an IT strategy which outlines a cross-sector plan for the development of pharmacy systems.
“Community pharmacy: An Information Technology strategy” aims to improve engagement between all stakeholders with an interest in community pharmacy IT including pharmacy contractors, secondary care, GPs, systems vendors, the DH, the NHS Commissioning Board, Public Health England, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Key elements of the strategy include:
- The formation of a pan-pharmacy IT strategy group to align developments in community pharmacy with the rest of the profession and ensure proactive strategic engagement with Government
- Formation of a contractors and suppliers forum to actively drive the development of community pharmacy systems in line with an agreed roadmap
The document includes a draft roadmap setting out the technical and functional improvements that are needed over the next four years. This work is in progress and will be amended and updated following further engagement with stakeholders.
Rob Darracott, Chief Executive of Pharmacy Voice said:
“Pharmacy IT is something that has been done to the sector, not for the sector, and still less by the sector. Our IT strategy is a chance for us to grab the bull by the horns and create the right infrastructure for community pharmacy to develop our capacity and capability.”
Publication of an IT strategy was a commitment made in Pharmacy Voice’s ‘Community Pharmacy: Our Prospectus for Better Health’ (February 2012).
Feedback on Pharmacy Voice’s IT strategy should be emailed to info@pharmacyvoice.com by 30 September 2012.
