What does PCIG mean in PHARMACY

The Pharmacy Contract Implementation Group (PCIG) is a group of stakeholders and healthcare experts that are involved in the development, implementation and oversight of the United Kingdom’s pharmacy contracts. It provides direction for the long-term health of the UK’s pharmacy sector, to ensure a safe and sustainable environment for both pharmacists and patients.

PCIG is made up of representatives from NHS England and Improvement, the Department of Health and Social Care, Community Pharmacy Scotland, Health & Social Care Northern Ireland, Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) and general practice.

PCIG exists to ensure that all stakeholders within the healthcare system are working together efficiently and effectively to achieve desired outcomes for patients. It aims to ensure there is an effective system in place for delivering high quality primary care services across England, Scotland and Wales.

The key objectives of PCIG include increasing access to medicines, improving patient care pathway management and supporting patient choice; developing innovative ways of working between pharmacists and prescribers; ensuring appropriate regulation to protect patients; creating an environment that encourages greater investment in community pharmacy services; reducing medicine waste; promoting public health initiatives; and introducing new models of service delivery with consideration given to public health initiatives.

PCIG supports the NHS Long Term Plan by helping to provide better integration between general practice teams, community pharmacies and secondary care providers in order to deliver improved collaboration across healthcare pathways. In addition, it aims to promote wider access to primary care services by supporting new models of service delivery such as extended access hubs or digital platforms.

PCIG works collaboratively with other organisations such as NHS England/Improvement, Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Community Pharmacy Scotland (CPS), Health & Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI) as well as professional bodies such as NICE, RPS and PSNC. This allows it to get relevant advice on various topics related to pharmacy contracting as well as develop appropriate policies which will benefit both patients and practitioners alike throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

The group meets quarterly but also hold ad hoc meetings when required due to changes in policy or developments in pharmacy contracting. In addition, they regularly consult with different stakeholder groups which can involve holding virtual meetings or workshops via webinars or teleconferencing software.

Each meeting requires an agenda setting out the topics for discussion which will be circulated prior to each meeting taking place so members can prepare accordingly - this is typically sent out 10 days before meeting date for approval at meeting start time. Minutes detailing decisions made during each meeting must also be produced following every session so these can then be approved at subsequent meetings.