FOURTH PORTAL
GATEWAY TO THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
About the Event
Introduction
THIS EVENT IS BEING UPDATED
Stephen Kane, longtime Gravesend resident and owner of Pender Pharmacy, introduces the NHS Pharmacy First Service. This new initiative allows patients to seek treatment for common conditions directly at the pharmacy, bypassing GP visits for faster, accessible care.
More on the event lead
Stephen Kane, a pharmacist who has served Gravesend since 1988, is now the owner of Pender Pharmacy on the High Street. Founded by Jack Pender in the early 1970s, the pharmacy has a strong community legacy, transitioning from a traditional dispenser to a centre for clinical advice and modern services.
Joining Stephen will be local resident and toxicologist Mark, with a background in mechanical engineering. Mark brings expertise in the pharmaceutical manufacture of cytotoxic medicines, including freeze-dried vials and tablet forms. Later in the day, Mark will present a separate talk focused on the complexities of medicine packaging.
Event Information
This event is Free
Suitable for 16+
___ Even more information ___
At Penders Pharmacy, Stephen will outline the benefits of the newly introduced NHS Pharmacy First Service, a program designed to handle eight clinical pathways where patients can directly approach the pharmacy for treatment. This initiative marks a shift in the role of pharmacies in the UK, focusing on clinical care and reducing reliance on GPs.
Stephen will discuss the types of conditions treated, from minor ailments to more common health concerns, and how Penders offers a walk-in, community-based solution, minimizing wait times and enhancing accessibility.
The session will also reflect on the transformation of pharmacy over the decades, from counting tablets to delivering clinical services and direct medical advice - highlighting how pharmacies like Penders continue to adapt to meet community needs in a changing healthcare landscape.
___
What is Pharmacy First?
Pharmacy First will enable community pharmacists to supply prescription-only medicines, including antibiotics and antivirals where clinically appropriate, to treat seven common health conditions without the need to visit a GP.
What are the seven common conditions?
Sinusitis
Sore throat
Earache
Infected insect bite
Impetigo (a bacterial skin infection)
Shingles
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women.