National Pharmacy Association chief executive Mark Lyonette has said the public inquiry set up to examine the UK’s response to the Covid pandemic “is an historic opportunity to place on record the achievements of community pharmacy” as his organisation prepares to provide it with evidence. 

The inquiry, which heard from bereaved families across the UK as well as charities, unions, faith groups and representatives from education and healthcare during a consultation last spring, will gather evidence on the experiences of people affected by the pandemic in an attempt to ensure the country is better prepared for future pandemics. The inquiry is expected to last several years.

The NPA will give evidence on Tuesday on the part pharmacies played during Covid and the challenges pharmacy teams faced. Lyonette (pictured at the Independent Pharmacy Awards two years ago) said it was important the inquiry’s recommendations are “based in the practical realities faced by health workers” such as the NPA’s members.

“It is very important that the community pharmacy story is told and that lessons are learned. We hope this process will result in recognition of the broad role that community pharmacy plays in health care and action that will better equip the health service to be resilient against, and responsive to, future public health crises,” he said.

“As well as handling a massive increase in demand for advice and medicines during the pandemic, our members continued to provide urgent care, help for minor illnesses and supported people with long-term medical conditions, and supported victims of domestic abuse.

“They kept vulnerable people supplied with medicines and played a key part in Covid testing and the vaccination programme.”

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, British Medical Association and Royal College of Nursing are also giving evidence to the inquiry.