The NA-ATTC sponsored the Pan UK Pharmacy Working Group for ATMPs event The Reality of ATMP Delivery: pharmacy learning and future development, held on 7th October, which provided a great opportunity for NHS colleagues to learn about the delivery of these innovative medicines. This one-day conference was hosted by the Joint Pharmaceutical Analysis Group (JPAG). It followed on from a similar meeting held in 2018 entitled Barriers to the Implementation of ATMPs and showcased how much work the group had undertaken in this time. Both meetings aimed to support pharmacy colleagues gain a better understanding of their role in the implementation of ATMPs.
The meeting, chaired by Neil Watson, NA-ATTC Co-Director, was a huge success, attracting 189 delegates in total, 154 of who were NHS staff. Keynote speakers delivered engaging presentations in the morning session, ranging from commissioning of ATMPs from NHS England & Improvement to a patient perspective from Duchene UK. The afternoon session offered four breakout sessions to suit the interest and ATMP experience of the delegate:
- Breakout Session #1 – ATMP Naive Sites/ Pharmacists
- Breakout Session #2 Clinical Trials
- Breakout Session #3 Experienced Centres Delivering ATMPs
- Breakout Session #4 Preparation of ATMPs
The overwhelming number of attendees who opted for Breakout session #1, aimed at ATMP naïve sites, and Breakout session #4, which discussed operational matters, demonstrates the benefit and ongoing need for the work of the Pan UK Pharmacy Working Group to promote a consistent and collaborative approach from pharmacy teams, many of whom are working in organisations at the start of the their ATMP journey.
