One of the principal aims is to help ensure that people living in deprived communities and minority ethnic groups are properly represented in trials. Over 99% of the population in the UK’s most deprived areas have access to a community pharmacy within a 20-minute walk.
Ultimately this should help to reduce health inequalities and improve health outcomes for all.
Professor Mahendra Patel, Director of the Centre for Research Equity, based at Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, said:
“Participants from underserved communities are often disproportionately under-represented in clinical research. Community pharmacies are a valuable local health resource. By engaging them as a channel to recruit participants, we can help ensure that research more accurately reflects the make-up of society and is inclusive and diverse.”
NPA Vice Chair, Sukhi Basra said:
“NPA members taking part will be helping to ensure safe and effective healthcare practice across the UK and worldwide. It is commonplace for GP practices to recruit patients into trials, and we are confident that the community pharmacy network can add value to research efforts.”
“Developing a role in supporting clinical trials and health research could also be a financially valuable diversification opportunity for some hard-pressed pharmacies.”
NPA members wishing to express an interest in recruiting patients and customers to participate in clinical trials should email [email protected]. Organisations interested in developing research proposals should contact Professor Patel at [email protected] .
Any of the NPA’s 6000 member pharmacies across the UK may participate in this project, regardless of location or the demographic they serve.
Click here for more information about the partnership.
