HRH The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to the National Pharmacy Association and its members for their 100 years of service

During a video message specially recorded for pharmacists attending the NPA’s centenary dinner at London’s Apothecaries Hall on November 24, Prince Charles thanked them for their efforts during the Covid pandemic.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it is the greatest pleasure to be able to join you this evening – albeit by this now-familiar virtual method – to congratulate, and celebrate, the National Pharmacy Association on its centenary year.

I am so glad that I can help you mark this important milestone for the National Pharmacy Association and also express my warmest thanks to community pharmacy teams across the United Kingdom for their tireless efforts to keep people safe and well during the pandemic.

I know that this has been about the most challenging time possible for everyone working in the health service. Throughout it all, your commitment to patient care has never wavered, despite the many enormous pressures you have faced.

Vital places

During this pandemic period, we have learned, as never before, that pharmacies are one of those vital places where science and society meet. Crucially, they are about people and places, not just pills.

With some 1.6 million patient contacts each day, they are part of the essential fabric of neighbourhoods and communities and, as well as contributing to people’s health and wellbeing, they contribute to the economic health of our high streets too.

Rich diversity

As a profession, you have long shown a great example in drawing your talent from across the rich diversity of communities that make up our nation, and, in so doing, have made an enormous contribution to our society in the widest sense.

While a great deal has changed in the way pharmaceuticals are manufactured and supplied over the past century, the community pharmacist’s role as an approachable and accessible first port of call for medicines, and for advice, has remained constant.

This is why, ladies and gentlemen, I am so pleased and proud to be able to recognise and, I hope, highlight your achievements, and those of your predecessors, who have supported communities across the United Kingdom over the past 100 years.

In closing, I can only wish you every possible success for the remainder of your centenary year. I know that the dedication and commitment which have been so much in evidence during your first hundred years will continue to be selflessly at the service of our society for the years to come.”