Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to recognise the role of Community Pharmacists as clinically trained professionals.

Community pharmacy employers, as private businesses, are responsible for the recruitment and retention of their staff. The Government fully recognises community pharmacists as clinically trained professionals. The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework sets out an increasing role for pharmacists in delivering more clinical services and utilising their skills to support the National Health Service.

NHS England is investing a further £15.9 million over the next four years to support the expansion of frontline pharmacy staff in primary and community care. This will provide increased access to educational, prescribing and clinical training and development opportunities for post registration pharmacy professionals.