Informed at every stage by frontline NPA members, our policy work is based on evidence and good practice
Our policy work
Created by members, for members
Our sector-leading policy work influences the big issues in pharmacy - with NPA members at the heart of all our decision making thorugh events, surveys, polls and thousands of one-to-one discussions.
Have your say
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Funding
From thousands of national media appearances and our ground-breaking ballot on action in 2024, to direct lobbying with Ministers, we have been relentless in our pressure for fair funding to end 10 years of neglect for the pharmacy network.
Our vision for pharmacy
We have made a powerful case for the vital role of pharmacy in local medicine supply, and supporting patients with medication. Proper funding for this essential work is vital. We have argued for new services - properly funded alongside dispensing - to improve access for patients and open opportunities for pharmacies.
Hub & Spoke
The NPA has been leading the debate on hub and spoke dispensing models since the concept was first proposed by the government in 2015.
The NPA has consistently challenged claims that hub and spoke will deliver efficiencies and patient safety benefits. We remain concerned that hub and spoke may not deliver the intended benefits for independent pharmacies and could have possible unintended adverse consequences.
Our conclusion: It's not a model for everyone, and it's not a magic solution to cost saving or patient safety, but it can work for some pharmacy models if owners wish to use it.
Supervision
Gareth Jones
Director of External and Corporate Affairs
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Gareth Jones
Director of External and Corporate Affairs
Gareth Jones is the NPA’s Director of External and Corporate Affairs. He is a pharmacist and leads the NPA’s work on policy and external engagement with the NHS, politicians, civil servants and other key stakeholders. He works with other pharmacy associations across Europe and globally via the World Pharmacy Council. He also leads the NPA’s corporate affairs function, supporting the NPA Board, made up entirely of frontline members, in setting the organisation’s direction.
Jill Loader
Adviser
Ben Russell
Director of Communications and Marketing
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Ben Russell
Director of Communications and Marketing
Ben has experience in journalism, politics, the non-profit sector and local government. Prior to the NPA, he was a Political Correspondent for the Independent, led press relations for the Local Government Association and was Director of Communications at the Charities Aid Foundation, one of the largest charitable foundations in Europe and at the Rhodes Trust, home of the Rhodes Scholarship.
Stephen Fishwick
Head of Communications
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Stephen Fishwick
Head of Communications
Stephen Fishwick is Head of Communications at the NPA.
He has been prominent in NPA campaigns for fair funding, helping to collect record-breaking public petitions in the process.
Previously, Stephen worked as a PR consultant and in campaigning roles at a large healthcare charity, and also headed public engagement for an NHS trust.
Fun fact: Stephen once appeared on the professional stage, in a production of Olivier Twist.
Nick Parker-Sutton
Senior Press Officer
