The All-Party Pharmacy Group today (26 June 2007) launched its report into the Future of Pharmacy. The report can be downloaded [here].

Who we are and what we do.

The All-Party Pharmacy Group has a membership of more than 120 MPs and peers. Ours is one of the largest and most active all-party groups in the Houses of Parliament.

Click here to find out more about all-party groups and what they do.

The All-Party Pharmacy Group was formed in December 1999.   Our statement of purpose, agreed at our inaugural meeting and endorsed every year since, is as follows:

To raise awareness of the profession of pharmacy, and to promote pharmacists' current and potential contribution to the health of the nation.

We are committed to inquiring into issues of current interest and significance for pharmacy, patients and the NHS.   We have chosen to adopt some of the principles of operation that select committees of the House use.   We hold meetings and investigations into current issues, inviting expert speakers to explain their views to us.  

We do this in public, with an invited audience comprising health professionals, Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities, patient groups, government officials, industry representatives and the media.   Attendance at our meetings is usually over 100, making our Group one of the most successful and high profile in Parliament.

Following each meeting we prepare a report to Health Ministers containing our findings, views and recommendations for policy action, just as a select committee would do.

Ministers respond to our recommendations and we are pleased to have positively influenced government policy over a number of issues through our work, including emergency hormonal contraception, concordance and wasted medicines, and the government's response to the OFT's proposals on 'control of entry'.

To read more about our work and to view our reports to Ministers click here.

To read about forthcoming events and inquiries click here

We also comment on current issues of relevance to pharmacy. Go to the News section to see our recent comment.

The All-Party Pharmacy Group receives financial support from: Company Chemists Association, National Pharmacy Association, PSNC and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.  Luther Pendragon provides administrative assistance to the Group.