The Future of Pharmacy- Innovation, Integration, and Impact

As the NHS undergoes profound technological, educational and workforce shifts,

pharmacy must evolve alongside it. The fourth roundtable of the UK Medicines Policy

Series, hosted by the Global Policy Network (GPN), examined this moment of transition through a unifying lens: innovation. Chair Reena Patel captured the purpose of the session clearly: “We will explore the future of the profession through that lens of

innovation and explore how pharmacy can drive better outcomes through strategic

medicines optimisation, genomics and digital innovation and workforce transformation”.

From the get-go, participants stressed that innovation cannot be separated from the

changing structure of the NHS. Integrated Care Boards are increasingly moving away

from “transactional contracting” and towards “strategic commissioning”, thus prompting a re-examination of how medicines optimisation is delivered. Speakers argued that pharmacy’s role now extends beyond managing medicine expenditure to encompass prevention, personalised care, and a deeper understanding of local population needs. One participant captured this shift by noting that we must move “from doing medicines to enabling people to live well”, situating pharmacy as a connector between clinical care and the wider determinants of health.

However, persistent operational barriers rooted in transactional models undermine this

shift. Indeed, fragmented service delivery and polypharmacy cycles persist because care pathways lack coordination. Prevention thinking remains narrowly medicine-centric rather than addressing wider determinants of health. These structural problems mean that even well-intentioned medication reviews often fail to prevent subsequent escalation of prescribing.

Furthermore, digital transformation emerged as central to the future, yet significant gaps constrain its progress – mostly linked to the fragmentation of digital records preventing interoperability and shared patient records. For instance, community pharmacists often cannot access the information they need to manage risk effectively.

Yet there was consensus that robust digital foundations are essential, and that, without them, "we can't deliver the innovation we talk about". Digital literacy across the pharmacy workforce remains inconsistent, and roundtable participants urged caution against over-reliance on AI, warning that it should address real-world challenges rather than serve as a universal solution.

Stemming from this discussion on digital infrastructures was a coverage of

pharmacogenomics and how it presents transformative potential tempered by

implementation barriers. The NHS 10-year plan emphasises genomics extensively, yet

translating statistical evidence into commissioning value remains difficult. Mainly, digital fragmentation complicates integration, as clinicians need real-time access to genomic information at the point of prescribing. Additionally, equity concerns are paramount as pharmacogenomics must be implemented equitably across populations to avoid widening health disparities. Without coordinated national frameworks, implementation risks benefiting well-resourced areas while leaving underserved communities behind.

A critical last point on genomics highlighted that new initiatives cannot simply layer onto existing work. Stopping outdated or low-value activities is essential to create capacity for transformation. Without deliberate prioritisation of what to retire, teams carry "the burdens of the old" while acquiring new responsibilities, becoming unsustainably overloaded.

Moreover, workforce transformation is perhaps the most pressing issue addressed at the roundtable – demonstrated through the 2026 requirement for all newly qualified

pharmacists to register as independent prescribers. However, speakers voiced concerns that ambition risks outpacing practical support, mainly as a critical funding gap exists: unlike other clinical professions, pharmacy lacks dedicated funding for Designated Prescribing Practitioners to supervise trainees. Educational institutions face operational barriers, from limited access to affordable digital tools used in practice to short-term NHS funding cycles that prevent long-term planning. The credentialing system for experienced pharmacists often fails to recognise diverse practice settings, creating barriers for those working outside traditional hospital environments.

Reform must therefore support flexible, portfolio-based career pathways rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.Throughout the discussion, participants emphasised collaboration as essential for sustainable change. Innovation requires redesigning pathways and relationships across the system: between commissioners, educators, employers, and frontline professionals.

As articulated, innovation must "serve inclusion, not deepen inequality". Despite the challenges outlined, the tone remained forward-looking. Participants spoke

of a profession ready to lead and increasingly central to neighbourhood health delivery. The opportunity now is to match this readiness with clear strategy, investment and system-wide coordination across pharmacy, policy and the wider NHS.

To stay informed and access future discussions, please visit and register at:

https://www.globalpolicynetwork.com