S3, Episode 2: Report 1, The Role of Medicines in the NHS 10-Year Plan with Maria Nasim and Stephen Riley

In this episode of Policy Unpacked, a podcast by the Global Policy Network (GPN), we explore the findings of the policy report “The Role of Medicines in the 10-Year Plan.”This series was inspired by an invitation-only roundtable hosted by GPN on 25 June 2025, chaired by Yousaf Ahmad, GPN Advisor and ICS Chief Pharmacist.The official policy report from this roundtable will be published on 7 October 2025, capturing the discussions, insights, and recommendations from system leaders across pharmacy, the NHS, and industry.To unpack the key findings, Ameneh Ghazal Saatchi, Founder and CEO of Global Policy Network, is joined by Maria Nasim, GPN Associate and Regional Market Access Director, Academic Clinical Fellow, Editor at EAHP, and Core20PLUS5 Ambassador at NHS England, alongside Stephen Riley, GPN Associate and Deputy Regional Chief Pharmacist for Pharmacy Integration at NHS England Northwest.Together, they reflect on what the report reveals about pharmacy’s role in delivering the NHS 10-Year Plan and what must change to unlock its full potential.In this episode, we discuss:Why a dedicated focus on medicines and pharmacy was needed nowWhat it means for pharmacists to work “at the top of their licence” and how the system can better support thisHow new and existing prescribers can be enabled through infrastructure, leadership, and cultureThe persistent silos between community, hospital, and primary care pharmacy and how to break them downLeadership models required to reposition pharmacy as a core pillar of integrated careHow to cultivate the next generation of pharmacy leadersThe role of digital integration and data access in delivering safer, more patient-centred careKey barriers to pharmacy integration identified through the roundtablePharmacy’s position in the NHS digital transformation agendaThe role of industry in supporting implementation of the report’s recommendationsHow the findings resonate beyond the UK and lessons for global health systemsWhat success would look like if the recommendations were implemented nowThe risks of inaction and who stands to lose if pharmacy remains underutilisedHow stakeholders can engage in the next phase of the GPN roundtable and policy seriesKey ThemesMedicines optimisation as a strategic system leverEmpowering pharmacy professionals and prescribersBreaking down silos across the health systemLeadership and cultural change in pharmacyDigital integration and data-enabled careAligning policy ambition with frontline realitiesGlobal Policy Network: www.globalpolicynetwork.com