Mansfield pharmacy wins prestigious award in the House of Commons

The annual awards, which took place on Thursday, October 2 and are run in association with Independent Community Pharmacist magazine, celebrates the outstanding ways independent community pharmacies improve the health of their local communities across the UK.

The awards drew leading figures from the pharmacy sector, MPs and pharmaceutical executives.

The awards judges were impressed with the way Newgate Lane Pharmacy goes the extra mile for their patients. One example which stood out is the team’s methadone dispensing service, which provides a vital lifeline for patients recovering from opioid dependency. It supports 70 patients every day.

The service demands exceptional consistency, discretion, empathy and attention to safeguarding protocols. The volume and complexity of the service requires a highly co-ordinated, trained team who manage patient expectations, liaise with prescribers and monitor for any signs of risk or relapse.

By maintaining a non-judgemental, structured and supportive environment, Newgate Lane Pharmacy plays a critical role in harm reduction, medication adherence and relapse prevention.

Labour MP: 10-year NHS plan cannot succeed without independent pharmacies

The Independent Pharmacy Awards heard from the Labour MP and former pharmacist Sadik Al-Hassan, who paid tribute to independent pharmacy’s ability to reach people in their local communities.

“Independent pharmacies, in particular, offer something unique – continuity of care, local knowledge and genuine personal relationships,” he said.

“You know your patients by name. You understand the specific health challenges facing your communities. You adapt your services to meet local needs, whether that's offering home deliveries to housebound patients, providing specialist advice on chronic conditions, or simply being a trusted presence on the high street.”

Al-Hassan insisted Labour’s “vision for a truly integrated, neighbourhood-based health service” through its 10- year NHS plan “simply cannot succeed” without independent pharmacies.

“When we talk about easing pressure on GP surgeries and A&E departments, we're talking about empowering pharmacies to do more of what they already do brilliantly,” he said.

“When we discuss preventative healthcare and early intervention, pharmacists are on the frontline, catching problems before they escalate.

“When we consider health equity and access, independent pharmacies are often the only healthcare provider in rural villages and underserved communities.”

National Pharmacy Association chief calls on Labour to close £2.6 billion pharmacy funding gap

The National Pharmacy Association chief executive Henry Gregg used the awards to call on Labour to close the £2.6 billion funding gap in community pharmacy funding as soon as possible.

“It gives me mixed feelings every time when I see such potential in community pharmacy held back by financial restraints,” he said.

“It is really important that we reform the contract and make clear we need proper investment for dispensing as the platform to then fully fund new services.”