The Pharmacy Show is the UK’s leading event for pharmacists, with around almost 9,000 pharmacy professionals attending the two day conference, held at the NEC in Birmingham on 7 and 8 October.

The show is also a key opportunity for Pharmacists to continue their CPD, with over 150 education sessions held at the event including live flu training.

Boots UK Pharmacy Director, Richard Bradley joined the key note programme, talking about ‘Supporting long-term health – Pharmacy’s route to the future’.

At the conference, he said: “Healthcare needs are changing; patients access healthcare differently, and lifestyles have a major impact, with things like the aging population and obesity having a significant impact of long term burden of the NHS. Alongside this, patients are equally more informed about their health than ever before - through use of digital aids and electronic access to information.

“It’s our role in community pharmacy to create and lead for change in a way that works for patients, the NHS and pharmacy itself. We have a unique role as pharmacists, in that we see people frequently – and not just when they are ill, and that’s a massive opportunity to give patients healthcare messages and lifestyle advice, supporting prevention – particularly through the self-care agenda.”

In his session, Richard recognised the innovative work that Boots Pharmacists are already doing in this area. With examples of new service launches, like the Sore Throat Test and Treat Service, the national commissioning of the flu vaccination service, and the role of automation in pharmacy dispensing.

He added: “We have highly capable pharmacists across the profession. We must create the framework and the capacity for them to play an even greater role in community healthcare.”

Other addresses at the Pharmacy Show included; Richard Cattell, Deputy Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at NHS Improvement, NHS England, on ‘the Medicines Safety Programme’ and Duncan Rudkin, Chief Executive, The General Pharmaceutical Council, on ‘Revalidation: what every pharmacy professional needs to know’.