A long-serving community pharmacist is one of 27 from around the world who have contributed to a new digital book that aims to highlight the changing role of pharmacy and its efforts to create a healthier future for everyone. Simon Nelson runs three pharmacies in the birthplace of the NHS, Tredegar - and another in Caerphilly.
The book has been developed by Alliance Healthcare as part of celebrations to mark World Pharmacists Day 2022 which is run by the International Pharmaceutical Federation. Mr Nelson, who has been a pharmacist for 40 years said he was delighted to be asked to contribute to the book, adding: “As demand for patient services increases, pharmacy will become ever closer to its patient as pharmacists are able to provide a wider array of services than ever before.
”During the last few years, pharmacy has truly demonstrated its value in keeping the doors open, maintaining health services and being there for the community. It was a big struggle at times and meant we had to make a lot of sacrifices.
“But it’s important to remember that the future of healthcare starts today, and to improve health outcomes in Wales - and indeed around the world - we need to work better together.”
There are currently around 712 active community pharmacies in Wales. Last year they dispensed 81.1 million prescriptions, equivalent to 25.1 items per head of the population. In the same period, 598 pharmacies in Wales provided the seasonal flu vaccine.
Juan Guerra, SVP and Managing Director at Alliance Healthcare, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic saw pharmacists rise to the challenge of becoming a key part of the world-wide response and now, as we emerge into the new world their role is changing. It’s becoming more about offering a complete healthcare service which is seeing more pharmacists offering additional services such as health consultations where they can diagnose and prescribe medication to offering vaccines.
“We are delighted to have been able to celebrate hardworking, dedicated, and innovative pharmacists like Simon who are the backbone of our local communities.
“As a business we’re united in our responsibilities to create healthier futures and we support pharmacists across the globe through our professional networks, which provide support, including, Business Mentors to pharmacists and pharmacies who want to diversify their offering, and via our wholesaler arm which delivers the medications pharmacies need to keep their communities fit and healthy.”
You can read the digital book in full here: www.supportingpharmacy.com
