Welcome to C+D’s tenth Big Debate. Tonight’s discussion will focus on the question: What needs to be done to make community pharmacy a more attractive career prospect? Impassioned discussions within the sector over whether there is a shortage of pharmacists have intensified in recent months. While pharmacists were added to the government’s shortage occupation list in March last year, both the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care have since told C+D that they believe community pharmacy employers are ultimately responsible for attracting and retaining their staff. Some maintain that there is a lack of pharmacists willing to work in the sector in its current state. But some employers have argued that they struggle to retain their pharmacists due to the more attractive career prospects and higher salaries offered by primary care networks and hospitals. So, what can community pharmacy employers do to make careers in pharmacy more attractive? We’ve got three speakers lined up to share their views tonight, but you can also let us know your thoughts by commenting and asking questions. The “live” part of the debate will close at 8pm, but feel free to continue to exchange views for as long as you like. C+D has introduced a streamlined functionality that allows users to mention each other in a comment. Simply use ‘@’ and type in the person’s name. This debate will start at 7pm.

The PDA has advised locum pharmacists they “are under no direct obligation” to help contractors gather data for an HMRC investigation into off-payroll working rules - also known as IR35 - although they “may choose to do so to help ensure HMRC reaches a final decision".  PDA: Locums may assist contractors in HMRC IR35 probe but ‘no obligation’ to do so :: C+D (chemistanddruggist.co.uk)