Local Assembly Member Paul Davies recently visited Newport Pharmacy in North Pembrokeshire, to discuss the Pharmacists’ Defence Association’s Safer Pharmacies Charter, which looks to improve safety and care for patients, through better working conditions in UK pharmacy practices. Mr Davies discussed the campaign with local community pharmacist Richard Evans, as well as hearing first-hand about the new Common Ailments Service, which is a free NHS service that patients can access for advice and treatment of 26 conditions including acne, chicken pox and tonsillitis.

He said, “Local pharmacies are constantly striving to offer more to local patients in the community and so I was pleased to visit the local pharmacy in Newport to hear more about some of the facilities and services that they provide. I’m also more than happy to help raise awareness of the Safer Pharmacies Charter and I hope to see the commitments in the Charter being adopted in all pharmacies in Wales. Pharmacies must be safe places for both patients and practitioners and I’ll be doing all I can to advocate this Charter and help raise awareness of this campaign when the Assembly reconvenes.”

Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Wales Pharmacy Board, Richard Evans said “Pharmacy offers a range of services in the heart of the community that many people may not be aware of. I was pleased to show Mr Davies the range of services available from local community pharmacies in Pembrokeshire, such as the stop smoking service, emergency supply of medicines, as well as the Common Ailments Service”.