Working together to improve patient care was a central theme at this year’s Association of Pharmacy Technicians (APTUK) conference. Outgoing Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) president Ash Soni urged delegates to work with other professions, including pharmacists and GPs to deliver what’s right for patients. 

Dr Ravi Sharma, head of primary care integration, lead GP practice pharmacist at Green Light and pharmacist practice partner at Honeypot Medical Centre, agreed, saying that “integration, collaboration and interprofessional working” are key to the future of pharmacy, as is the adaptability to work in different settings to help provide a person-centred healthcare pathway for individuals. “If we fail to adapt, we’re unlikely to survive,” he warned. He pointed out that there is plenty of scope for integration with other healthcare professionals and for pharmacy technicians to be involved with primary care provision, as well as supporting urgent care and working with care homes.