Pharmacy leaders have urged the government to engage with pharmacy teams, as it appears to be reviewing its work to tackle major conditions.

Earlier this month, public health minister Andrew Gwynne confirmed that work the government's major conditions strategy had been paused, saying: 'As we develop our plans to rebuild the NHS, we will consider how we incorporate the findings from the Major Conditions Strategy into our plans.'

But Tase Oputu, Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) England board chair, warned that it was 'vital' the government did not lose focus on major conditions.

And she urged the new Labour government to 'engage with pharmacy leaders to ensure pharmacists and pharmacy teams are supported to help build an NHS fit for the future'.

'Pharmacists play a vital role in tackling major conditions, from the earlier detection of cardiovascular disease to the manufacturing of cancer treatments.

'Community pharmacies are essential in addressing health inequalities, providing public health services like vaccination, health screening and chronic disease management,' Ms Oputu added.

Alastair Buxton, director of NHS services at Community Pharmacy England (CPE) said the negotiator was 'feeding into discussions around healthcare development'.

'Government, patients and the NHS desperately need to make better use of the wealth of skills and expertise in community pharmacy, but this can only happen if pharmacies are given a sustainable funding model,' he added.

The major conditions strategy was first announced last year by then health secretary Steve Barclay, and listed the six target conditions as:

  • cancers;
  • cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and diabetes;
  • chronic respiratory diseases;
  • dementia;
  • mental ill health;
  • musculoskeletal disorders.

It is thought that work on the major conditions strategy is on hold while the government awaits the findings of Professor Lord Ara Darzi's investigation into the state of the NHS.

The findings from Lord Darzi’s ‘rapid’ review, expected next month, will inform a new 10-year plan to reform the NHS.

Pharmacy bodies have highlighted funding, workforce and medicine supply as key concerns to the Darzi review.

And Paul Rees, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association told The Pharmacist today: 'Community pharmacy has a track record of providing health care and preventative services relating to the so-called major health conditions, including cardiovascular disease and respiratory conditions.

'We want to see our clinical role expanding, despite any delay that may arise as a result of the change of Government in Westminster.

'We also look forward to the findings of the Darzi Review being published next month and expect there to be obvious opportunities for community pharmacy to support the fixes necessary for the NHS to tackle major health conditions affecting patients.'