What's Happening?
The pharmacy sector in 2025 has been marked by significant developments and ongoing challenges, as highlighted by The Pharmaceutical Journal. Key issues include workforce shortages, medicine shortages, and changes in cost-effectiveness thresholds by the
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Despite a growing workforce, pharmacists are experiencing stress due to staff shortages, which also raise safety concerns for patients. A parliamentary inquiry into medicine shortages has brought attention to the issue, while community pharmacies have delivered record numbers of items and services. In hospitals, there have been breakthroughs in treatment approvals for specialist areas, but workforce support remains inadequate. General practice pharmacists are increasingly prescribing, yet there is room for improvement in medication reviews.
Why It's Important?
These developments are crucial as they impact the delivery of healthcare services across the U.S. The workforce shortages and medicine supply issues could affect patient safety and the efficiency of healthcare delivery. The changes in NICE thresholds may influence the cost and availability of medicines, affecting both patients and healthcare providers. The record delivery of items by community pharmacies indicates a growing demand for pharmacy services, highlighting the need for adequate funding and support. The role of pharmacists in general practice is expanding, which could lead to improved patient outcomes if medication reviews are enhanced.
What's Next?
Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to bring significant changes, including pharmacy contract negotiations in England and pharmacists becoming prescribers from the point of registration. These developments could reshape the pharmacy landscape, potentially addressing some of the current challenges. The implementation of a ten-year health plan may also bring about further changes, impacting how pharmacy services are delivered and funded. Stakeholders, including government bodies and healthcare organizations, will need to collaborate to address these issues and ensure the sustainability of pharmacy services.
