Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England visits NHSBSA to see critical services in action

The Chief Pharmaceutical Officer toured Bridge House to see first-hand the different areas within NHS Prescriptions Services, such as the Drug Tariff, Manage Your Service (MYS), the Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), Medicines Data, Margin Survey and Concessions.

NHSBSA staff members in NHS Prescriptions Services showcased their expertise to NHS England leaders, demonstrating how their work is critical in supporting primary care.

Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at NHS England, David Webb, said: "It was great to meet the team at NHSBSA and see the wide range of work they do – from prescription processing through to medicines data, payments, manage-your-service and NHS organisation data. I was really impressed by everyone’s commitment and dedication to delivering these crucial functions, including processing 1.1 billion prescription items per year."

He was joined by Martin Kelsall (Director of Primary Care Services, NHSBSA), Paul McGettigan (Head of Partnerships and Opportunities, NHSBSA), Michele Cossey (Regional Chief Pharmacist for Northeast and Yorkshire, NHS England) and Phil Edwards (Head of Pharmaceutical Services and Principal Pharmacist, NHSBSA.)

NHSBSA Head of Pharmaceutical Services and Principal Pharmacist, Phil Edwards added: "Martin and I would like to thank David and Michele for their time. I don’t think it was an understatement to say that they were both truly amazed about the amount of work we undertake in the NHSBSA to support primary care and the level of expertise that exists within the NHSBSA."

David Webb has been the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer for England since February 2022, having previously been Chief Pharmacist and Clinical Director for Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. He is a member of NHS England Medical Directorate’s senior management team, the UK Government Chief Medical Officer’s senior clinical group, Head of the Pharmacy Professions in England and the principal advisor on pharmacy and medicines use in the NHS, which includes supporting the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).