Gemma Berriman, Chief Operating Officer of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT), 

The UK Pharmacy Research Advisory Group (PRAG) has published the first UK pharmacy research strategy, a ten-year framework released on 22 October 2026 that aims to make research an integral part of every pharmacist’s and pharmacy technician’s career. Hosted by NHS England on behalf of the four chief pharmaceutical officers, the strategy commits to training in digital health technologies, including artificial intelligence, data science, data analytics and electronic health records.

The chief pharmaceutical officers established PRAG in 2024, bringing together senior research and academic pharmacists from across the UK. The group was established to increase pharmacy professionals’ participation in research training. An NHS England survey published in February 2024 found that pharmacy staff were underrepresented among clinical staff taking part in research training. A draft published for consultation in September 2025 also highlighted the limited involvement of pharmacy professionals in leading and conducting research studies.

The strategy aims to expand training programmes and career pathways, with mentorship provided in collaboration with organisations such as the Royal College of Pharmacy. NHS England wants research to become a recognised and supported part of pharmacy practice at every career stage. Digital training is intended to equip practitioners to work confidently with data-driven healthcare systems and automated tools. However, the framework has yet to specify the course content, funding arrangements or implementation timelines.

Progress will be measured by participation in research training and mentorship, publications led by pharmacy professionals, and the number of research awards received. Consultation responses also highlighted the need for clearer plans for collaboration between pharmacy teams and partners across healthcare, education, industry and government, including how these partnerships would be funded. Sustained investment and support will be essential to turning the strategy’s objectives into long-term opportunities for pharmacy professionals.

Digital transformation is already progressing alongside the national strategy. In Northern Ireland, £42 million has been allocated to ePharmacy within a wider £102.6 million Transformation Fund investment announced in May 2026. The programme will enable prescriptions to be transferred electronically from prescribers to community pharmacies and introduce a digital platform to manage clinical services delivered through pharmacies. Health minister Mike Nesbitt said more than 45 million items are prescribed and dispensed annually across primary care in Northern Ireland.

In England, NHS England has begun market engagement for tools to process data from hospital pharmacy systems. The initial objectives include reporting on medicine stocks and daily issues across secondary care, alongside a price comparison tool that allows trusts to compare their purchasing costs with national procurement framework prices. The initial notice was published on 29 September 2026. Better access to consistent medicines data could support procurement decisions, improve visibility of stock and help organisations identify opportunities for more efficient use of resources.

At the trust level, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust added an Anticholinergic Medication Index tool to its electronic patient record on 1 September 2026. The tool helps prescribers and pharmacists calculate and assess patients’ anticholinergic medication burden to support clinical decision-making. It is available for patients aged 65 and over in inpatient and day-case settings, with results accessible across parts of the clinical record, including the pharmacy care organiser.

The project sits within a broader programme of operational and digital improvement at CHFT. Gemma Berriman, the trust’s chief operating officer, has a background in nursing and operational leadership, including responsibility for resilience, acute flow and transformation. The trust has also developed an Integrated Flow Hub to bring teams together around patient flow and provide access to operational information through a digital command centre. These initiatives show how digital systems can improve coordination and support decision-making across hospital services. However, there is no confirmed evidence that Berriman is directly involved in leading the Anticholinergic Medication Index project.

These developments highlight the increasing role of reliable data, digital skills and research-led practice in modern pharmacy. Prescription records, stock information and electronic patient records provide opportunities to improve medicines management, while better-trained professionals can help turn that information into practical improvements. The strategy measures progress through research training, mentorship, publications and awards, while its impact on patient outcomes will need to be assessed separately. Its long-term success will depend on continued funding, strong partnerships and opportunities for pharmacy professionals to put their research skills into practice.