Responding jointly to the inquiry by the Local Government Association Health Commission into the local accountability of health services, the four national pharmacy bodies - CCA, NPA, RPSGB and PSNC - have called for the Department of Health's World Class Commissioning programme to set out more robust accountability arrangements. They have also urged local authorities to take a more active role as scrutineers.

The pharmacy bodies believe that it is vitally important for Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) to be held accountable nationally and locally for their decisions, to ensure that they secure best value for taxpayers and patients.

PCTs are responsible for the allocation of considerable sums of public money for commissioning NHS services. However, community pharmacy's experience of PCT-led commissioning has generally been disappointing with opportunities to improve patient care by engaging pharmacy too often being missed.

Company Chemists Association

Through the CCA, its member companies work together to create an environment where community pharmacy can flourish, and where pharmacy contractors compete in a fair and equitable way. Our nine companies - Alliance Boots, Co-operative Group Pharmacy, Lloydspharmacy, Tesco, J Sainsbury, Wm Morrison Supermarkets, Asda Wal-Mart, Rowlands Pharmacy and Superdrug - together operate over 6,000 pharmacies in the United Kingdom.

National Pharmacy Association

The NPA has, in voluntary membership, the vast majority of the UK's community pharmacy owners. The Association supplies members with a range of services to help them maintain and improve the health of the communities they serve.

Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee

The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) is the body recognised by the Secretary of State for Health as representing community pharmacy owners in England on NHS matters. It negotiates the national community pharmacy contractual terms with the Department of Health and the NHS.

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB) is the professional and regulatory body for pharmacists in England, Scotland and Wales. It also regulates pharmacy technicians on a voluntary basis, a role that is expected to become statutory under forthcoming legislation. The primary objectives of the RPSGB are to lead, regulate, develop and represent the profession of pharmacy.

National Pharmacy Association Ltd
npa