NHS Pharmacy Procurement

The lack of formal training of pharmacy staff in procurement theory has been highlighted in “A Spoonful of Sugar” and elsewhere. This training need has been recognised and measured by procurement specialist pharmacists. Whilst there are a number of course available (e.g. Certificate in Purchasing and Supply, Diploma in Procurement and Logistics, many CIPS accredited), it can be argued that the initial requirement of the pharmacy buyer in a trust is less than this. Given their extensive training in pharmacy, what is needed are the basic theoretical concepts to apply to their practical knowledge.

This course is proposed to fill this training need. The requirements of trust buyers have been carefully identified by interviews with individual procurement staff. The web based training is meant to provide an additional resource for procurement staff that augments any conventional training they might already have access to. It should be open to any member of pharmacy staff nominated by their trust.

Completion of the course is currently recognised by a certificate. This may be formalised in the future by accreditation with an external body.