NPA Coverage in the media 2022
The NPA’s press office helps to safeguard the interests of the community pharmacy sector in the media and ensures the voice of NPA members’ is well represented. The press office writes regular columns for the pharmacy trade press and often organizes NPA spokespeople to be interviewed on national and regional media to talk about the issues which matter most to pharmacists and patients. We also advise NPA members about handling local media interest in their pharmacy – whether it’s bad news or good news.
Below is a list of some media coverage in which the NPA has appeared in.
In the media
There were more than 700 items of NPA media coverage in 2022, including more than 100 in national newspapers, TV and radio.
Summary 2022:
12 December
Sky News. Reena Barai
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acn_IhgQ8zs&feature=youtu.be
11 December
- UK pharmacies say they are being forced to dispense Strep A antibiotics at a loss
https://www.ft.com/content/3131c4e9-3de3-41ab-a5c0-90757bdcb14d

10 December
Radio 4. Today (Nick Kaye, starts at 1hr, 45 mins)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001g2vp
6 December
Sky News. Nick Kaye
https://twitter.com/NPA1921/status/1600200020891881472?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
28 November
Daily Mail. Pharmacies are LOSING money on drugs issued on NHS prescriptions putting thousands of community pharmacies under threat
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11478343/Pharmacies-LOSING-money-drugs-issued-NHS-prescriptions.html
17 November
Metro. How to look after your health in the months ahead
https://metro.co.uk/2022/11/17/how-to-look-after-your-health-in-the-months-ahead-17436356/
15 November
Mail Online. Unwanted prescription: They’re a vital community lifeline for the vulnerable and elderly – but a THIRD of independent chemists are at risk of closing within two years
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11427533/A-independent-chemists-risk-closing-two-years.html
5 October
Daily Telegraph. Why your local pharmacy is on life support
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/10/05/why-local-pharmacy-life-support/

12 August
GB News – Olivier Picard on medicines shortages

17 June
ITV News – Amish Patel on hay fever
https://www.itv.com/news/2022-06-13/why-super-pollen-might-be-making-your-hay-fever-and-allergies-worse-right-now

15 June
BBC News. Nick Kaye on cancer referrals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR4DHtm0h6o&t=265s

9 May
BBC. The One Show.
https://twitter.com/NPA1921/status/1524358826274795520?cxt=HHwWgMC55dWRzqcqAAAA

29 April
BBC News. Reena Barai on HRT shortages
https://twitter.com/NPA1921/status/1520003640047685632?cxt=HHwWgMC-5bvQkZgqAAAA
22 January
BBC Breakfast. Reena Barai talks about weight management and pharmacies.
https://twitter.com/NPA1921/status/1484824310657208323?cxt=HHwWhsCy6f71k5spAAAA
2 January
GB News. Olivier Picard on Covid testing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nq-JtpEYbgU&t=1568s

Media Coverage 2022:
23 December
Daily Telegraph. Pharmacies system in danger of collapse, Steve Barclay warned
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/12/23/pharmacies-system-danger-collapse-steve-barclay-warned/
16 December
The Pharmacist. NPA calls for medicines supply taskforce amid antibiotics supply issues
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/npa-calls-for-medicines-supply-taskforce-amid-antibiotics-supply-issues/
13 December
The Guardian. ‘Like a horrific board game’: 33 hours inside an NHS in crisis
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/13/like-a-horrific-board-game-33-hours-inside-an-nhs-in-crisis
8 December
Pharmacy Business. Integrated Care Systems an opportunity to ‘pull all systems together’, NPA tells MPs
https://www.pharmacy.biz/integrated-care-systems-an-opportunity-to-pull-all-systems-together-npa-tells-mps/
6 December
C&D. The absurdity of dispensing at a loss – enough is enough
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD136598/The-absurdity-of-dispensing-at-a-loss–enough-is-enough
5 December
The Pharmacist. Pharmacy capacity no longer matches demand, says NPA
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/pharmacy-capacity-no-longer-matches-demand-says-npa/
17 November
The Pharmacist. Living wage increase will lead to lay-offs without more funding, says NPA
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/living-wage-increase-will-lead-to-lay-offs-without-more-funding-says-npa/
11 November
Pharmacy Magazine. Opinion: There must be fuel in the tank
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/opinion/opinion-there-must-be-fuel-in-the-tank
C&D. Join C+D’s Big Debate on making pharmacy careers attractive on November 15
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD136537/Join-CDs-Big-Debate-on-making-pharmacy-careers-attractive-on-November-15
8 November
The Pharmacist. Bristol mayor praises community pharmacy services
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/bristol-mayor-praises-community-pharmacy-services/
7 November
Pharmacy Magazine. Chief pharmacist visits Belfast pharmacy to mark AYP 2022
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/chief-pharmacist-visits-belfast-pharmacy-to-mark-ayp-2022
4 November
Pharmacy Business. NPA, BeWell expand partnership to provide solution-based platform to pharmacies
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-bewell-expand-partnership-to-provide-solution-based-platform-to-pharmacies/
28 October
Pharmacy Business. Public awareness on NHS pharmacy services needs to be raised, NPA survey reveals
https://www.pharmacy.biz/public-awareness-on-nhs-pharmacy-services-needs-to-be-raised-npa-survey-reveals/
26 October
C&D. Taking the right decisions now can avert disastrous pharmacy collapse
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD136478/Taking-the-right-decisions-now-can-avert-disastrous-pharmacy-collapse
7 October
Pharmacy Magazine. NPA announces partnership with digital platform for pharmacies
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/npa-announces-partnership-with-digital-platform-for-pharmacies
5 October
ICP. NPA calls for emergency £250m funding injection
https://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news/881378-npa-calls-for-emergency-250m-funding-injection
27 September
The Times. Soaring inflation threatens to close thousands of high street chemists
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/soaring-inflation-threatens-to-close-thousands-of-high-street-chemists-3rqvx0kg3
21 September
The Pharmacist. Energy support for pharmacies ‘barely touches the sides’ of cost crisis
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/energy-support-for-pharmacies-barely-touches-the-sides-of-cost-crisis/
9 September
C&D. Pharmacy bodies pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as national mourning begins
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD136385/Pharmacy-bodies-pay-tribute-to-Queen-Elizabeth-II-as-national-mourning-begins
6 September
Pharmacy Magazine. England’s chief pharmacist to address NPA online conference
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/englands-chief-pharmacist-to-address-npa-online-conference
1 September
ICP. Energy bills increase could hit pharmacies by £60m, warns NPA chief
https://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news/energy-bills-increase-could-hit-pharmacies-by-60m-warns-npa-chief
26 August
The Pharmacist. Sunak should adopt a ‘Pharmacy First’ approach, says NPA
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/sunak-should-adopt-a-pharmacy-first-approach-says-npa/
22 August
Daily Telegraph. The sickness that plagues Britain’s pharmacies
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/08/22/why-britains-local-pharmacies-poor-health/
18 August
The Pharmacist. Petition calls for action to tackle rising violence against pharmacists
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/petition-calls-for-action-to-tackle-rising-violence-against-pharmacists/
- Pharmacist independent prescribing pilots will begin across England from 2023
https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/pharmacist-independent-prescribing-pilots-will-begin-across-england-from-2023
16 August
Pharmacy Business. NPA lauds its cohort of trainee pharmacists who secured 81 per cent pass rate in GPhC assessment
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-lauds-its-cohort-of-trainee-pharmacists-who-secured-81-per-cent-pass-rate-in-gphc-assessment/
11 August
Daily Express. Fears patients’ lives at risk as pharmacists struggle to provide vital drug
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1653521/medicines-drug-shortage-pharmacies-uk-health-news-latest
Pharmacy Magazine. NPA view: Pharmacists can help tackle women’s health inequalities
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/opinion/npa-view-pharmacists-can-help-tackle-womens-health-inequalities
9 August
C&D. Pharmacy clawbacks are a perverse windfall tax
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD136327/Pharmacy-clawbacks-are-a-perverse-windfall-tax
5 August
The Pharmacist. PSNC: Delay to CPCF approval due to government reshuffle
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/psnc-delay-to-cpcf-approval-due-to-government-reshuffle/
28 July
Pharmacy Business. NPA seeks future PM’s support for community pharmacies
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-seeks-future-pms-support-for-community-pharmacies/
20 July
The i. How does the Gina HRT tablet work? Ways the over-the-counter medication should benefit millions of women
https://inews.co.uk/news/health/how-gina-10-hrt-tablet-works-over-counter-without-prescription-menopause-1753122
19 July
Pharmacy Business. CMA suggests regulatory levers to curb ‘potential competition risk’ from hub and spoke dispensing policy
https://www.pharmacy.biz/cma-suggests-regulatory-levers-to-curb-potential-competition-risk-from-hub-and-spoke-dispensing-policy/
18 July
MSN. Almost 200 schools ignore Government plea not to close in heatwave
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/almost-200-schools-ignore-government-plea-not-to-close-in-heatwave/ar-AAZHYOC
11 July
ICP. Patients going without prescriptions in inflation crisis, warns NPA
https://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news/855508-patients-going-without-prescriptions-in-inflation-crisis-warns-npa
8 July
P3. Aiming high for influence (Mark Lyonette interview)
https://www.p3pharmacy.co.uk/interviews/aiming-high-for-influence-lyonette-jul22
7 July
Pharmacy Business. NPA, RPS urge new health secretary to support ‘pharmacy first’ approach in England
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-rps-urge-new-health-secretary-to-support-pharmacy-first-approach-in-england/
6 July
P3. Javid resignation: Pharmacy bodies respond to new SoS appointment
https://www.p3pharmacy.co.uk/news/855403-javid-resignation-pharmacy-bodies-respond-to-new-sos-appointment
5 July
Pharmacy Business. David Webb pledges ‘wholehearted support’ for community pharmacy at NPA board meeting
https://www.pharmacy.biz/david-webb-pledges-wholehearted-support-for-community-pharmacy-at-npa-board-meeting/
4 July
The Pharmacist. This year’s Ask Your Pharmacist Week announced
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/this-years-ask-your-pharmacist-week-announced/
1 July
Pharmacy Business. Pharmacy leadership commission appoints two more independent pharmacists
https://www.pharmacy.biz/pharmacy-leadership-commission-appoints-two-more-independent-pharmacists/
27 June
Pharmacy Magazine. NPA study will look at impact of runaway inflation on pharmacies
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/npa-study-will-look-at-impact-of-runaway-inflation-on-pharmacies
22 June
ICP. Decisive vote in favour of proposals to overhaul pharmacy representation
https://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/news/854769-decisive-vote-in-favour-of-proposals-to-overhaul-pharmacy-representation
15 June
The Pharmacist. Pharmacies to assess cancers and refer patients to specialists
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/pharmacies-to-assess-cancers-and-refer-patients-to-specialists/
C&D. NPA members report threefold increase in health centre pharmacies’ rents
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD136188/NPA-members-report-threefold-increase-in-health-centre-pharmacies-rents
13 June
The Pharmacist. ICSs must see pharmacy as ‘front door’ to NHS, hears NPA roundtable
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/icss-must-see-pharmacy-as-front-door-to-nhs-hears-npa-roundtable/
31 May
Pharmacy Business. NPA raises more than £11,000 for mental health charity
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-raises-more-than-11000-for-mental-health-charity/
27 May
Pharmacy Magazine. NPA welcomes primary care review findings
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/npa-welcomes-primary-care-review-findings
24 May
Pharmacy Business. NPA meets HRT tsar to address drug shortages
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-meets-hrt-tsar-to-address-drug-shortages/
19 May
Pharmacy Business. Vote ‘yes’ for pharmacy representation reform, NPA tells members as voting window opens on May 27
https://www.pharmacy.biz/vote-yes-for-pharmacy-representation-reform-npa-tells-members-as-voting-window-opens-on-may-27/
18 May
Pharmacy Magazine. NPA urges NHSE&I to fulfil promise to review CPCF global sum
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/852604-npa-urges-nhse-and-i-to-fulfil-promise-to-review-cpcf-global-sum
17 May
The Pharmacist. Give pharmacies authority to share medicines to tackle shortages, says NPA
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/give-pharmacies-power-to-share-medicines-to-tackle-shortages-says-npa/
9 May
Kent Online. Longfield pharmacist meets The Prince of Wales
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/news/kent-pharmacist-meets-prince-of-wales-266861/
5 May
Guardian. Members of vaccine taskforce to be reassigned to HRT crisis
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/05/sajid-javid-talks-uk-hrt-shortages-meeting
4 May
Daily Mail. Dapper Duke! Prince Charles looks suave in a pin stripe suit as he hosts The National Pharmacy Association reception at St James’s Palace
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-10783313/Prince-Charles-hosts-National-Pharmacy-Association-reception-St-Jamess-Palace.html
3 May
C&D. NPA urges competition watchdog to address hub-and-spoke concerns
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD136089/NPA-urges-competition-watchdog-to-address-hub-and-spoke-concerns
30 April
The i. HRT shortage: Crisis could impact people with bladder infections and chronic UTIs, says doctor
https://inews.co.uk/news/hrt-shortage-crisis-impact-bladder-infections-chronic-utis-1603161
29 April
Pharmacy Magazine. Competition watchdog will look at hub and spoke concerns
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/npa-competition-watchdog-will-look-at-hub-and-spoke-concerns
27 April
BBC. Pharmacies in Wales to help GPs prescribe medicines to patients
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61248456
12 April
C&D. How can pharmacists and pharmacy teams help refugees from Ukraine?
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD136046/How-can-pharmacists-and-pharmacy-teams-help-refugees-from-Ukraine
4 April
Pharmacy Business. NPA: Community pharmacies can help reduce health inequalities in Scotland
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-community-pharmacies-can-help-reduce-health-inequalities-in-scotland/
Community pharmacies deliver a record 4.8 million flu vaccinations during winter 2021/2022
https://pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news/community-pharmacies-deliver-a-record-4-8-million-flu-vaccinations-during-winter-2021-2022
26 March
Daily Express. ‘Illogical and unfair!’ Over 60s may lose free prescriptions after state pension changes
https://www.express.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/1586583/free-prescriptions-nhs-state-pension-changes-pharmacy-uk-2022
23 March
ICP. Employment allowance increase ‘not enough for pharmacies’
https://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/826651-employment-allowance-increase-not-enough-for-pharmacies
22 March
Pharmacy Business. NPA: Hub and spoke impact assessment proves justification for pharmacy cut was hollow
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-hub-and-spoke-impact-assessment-proves-justification-for-pharmacy-cut-was-hollow/
18 March
The i. Lateral flow tests: Pharmacies could run out as final deliveries of free tests arrive today
https://inews.co.uk/news/lateral-flow-tests-free-covid-pharmacies-delivery-arrive-deadline-1525319?ico=related_stories
17 March
Integrated Care Journal. Claire Fuller to take stock of community pharmacy in primary care review
https://integratedcarejournal.com/newsdit-article/1e2d4664b89094f6f5ee45a5908dc512/claire-fuller-to-take-stock-of-community-pharmacy-in-primary-care-review/
11 March
Pharmacy Business. King’s Fund report prompts NPA to call for re-think of PCN pharmacist roles
https://www.pharmacy.biz/kings-fund-report-prompts-npa-to-call-for-re-think-of-pcn-pharmacist-roles/
10 March
ICP. NPA chief: Business rates will ‘really hurt’ independents
https://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/824869-npa-chief-business-rates-will-really-hurt-independents
2 March
Pharmacy Magazine. NHS primary care needs to hear from pharmacy, says NPA
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/nhs-primary-care-needs-to-hear-from-pharmacy-says-npa
25 February
ICP. NPA: Pharmacy vaccinations have saved 20,000 lives
https://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/823097-npa-pharmacy-vaccinations-have-saved-20-000-lives
18 February
The Pharmacist. NPA and PSNC team up to offer scholarship in Australia
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/npa-and-psnc-team-up-to-offer-scholarship-in-australia/
14 February
Pharmacy Magazine. Where next for vaccinations in pharmacy?
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/opinion/where-next-for-vaccinations-in-pharmacy
9 February
C&D. NPA: ‘Vast majority’ of independents ‘still sceptical’ about hub and spoke
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD135896/NPA-Vast-majority-of-independents-still-sceptical-about-hub-and-spoke
5 February
Pharmacy Business. NPA seeks funding boost for pharmacy contractors to meet higher locum rates
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-seeks-funding-boost-for-pharmacy-contractors-to-meet-higher-locum-rates/
27 January
Pharmacy Magazine. Independents provided many more Covid vaccines than large multiples
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/independents-provided-many-more-covid-vaccines-than-large-multiples
22 January
BBC Breakfast. Reena Barai talks about weight management and pharmacies
https://twitter.com/NPA1921/status/1484824310657208323?cxt=HHwWhsCy6f71k5spAAAA
21 January
ICP. Keep wearing masks in pharmacies, patients urged as Plan B dropped
https://www.independentpharmacist.co.uk/819869-keep-wearing-masks-in-pharmacies-patients-urged-as-plan-b-dropped
20 January
C&D. Number of pharmacists in England up from 2017, but vacancy rate still high
https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/CD135852/Number-of-pharmacists-in-England-up-from-2017-but-vacancy-rate-still-high?vid=PharmaCandD
18 January
Pharmacy Magazine. Half of all UK pharmacies provide domestic abuse scheme
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/half-of-all-uk-pharmacies-provide-domestic-abuse-scheme
13 January
The Pharmacist. One-third of all boosters delivered by pharmacies
https://www.thepharmacist.co.uk/news/one-third-of-all-boosters-delivered-by-pharmacies/
7 January
Pharmacy Business. Pharmacy bodies urge people to be ‘patient and courteous’ with staff
https://www.pharmacy.biz/pharmacy-bodies-urge-people-to-be-patient-and-courteous-with-staff/
4 January
Pharmacy Business. NPA launches ‘Associate Pharmacist’ subscription for pharmacists, technicians
https://www.pharmacy.biz/npa-launches-associate-pharmacist-subscription-for-pharmacists-technicians/
Pharmacy Magazine. Lateral flow demand not going away warns NPA
https://www.pharmacymagazine.co.uk/news/lateral-flow-demand-not-going-away-warns-npa