'Big shift’ towards pharmacy-based vaccination programme in the offing: Hancock
By Priyankur MandavJun 25, 2021
MORE Covid-19 and flu vaccines will be delivered through community pharmacy, health secretary Matt Hancock said, as noted a “big shift” in the UK’s vaccination programme.
Such a move would allow community pharmacists to use their “clinical capabilities” and doctors to practise “medicine in the normal way” back in the surgeries, Hancock told a webinar hosted by Sigma Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday (23).
He also confirmed there will be a booster programme for Covid-19 vaccination in the autumn, but said the details, based on “some clinical results”, were yet to be set out.
Hancock paid tribute to community pharmacies, saying they were “at the heart of primary care” and had delivered more than five million vaccines so far. He praised them for persuading and reassuring people “to get vaccinated in order to keep themselves and their communities safe”.
“Nothing has shown the incredible capability of community pharmacy better than the vaccine programme,” he said, adding they had helped the country out of the pandemic.
Hancock singled out Cullimore Chemists, an independent community pharmacy in Edgware, London, and Superdrug in Guildford, Surrey as the pharmacies “that have done an unbelievable work”.
“Both of them have been operating a clinic every single day for over 150 days now. They are the longest operating, constantly operating pharmacy vaccination sites,” he added.
Admitting that he was a “great lover of community pharmacy”, the health secretary said, “it comes as no real surprise to me how much the sector has risen to the challenge during the pandemic – often you were the only shop on the street open in those worst of times during the darkest days of the lockdowns – making sure people get their medicines, making sure you're there for people and helping to keep people safe.”
New health and care bill
Responding to a question from Eastern Eye’s sister title Pharmacy Business on the new health and care bill, Hancock said: “We're reforming right across the board, and the underlying thread that ties them all together is that prevention is better than cure, and you (community pharmacy) are at the heart of that vision.”
The proposed legislative reforms aim to join up different parts of the NHS and allow Integrated Care Systems to play a greater role in delivering best possible care, paying particular attention to population health.
“Pharmacy is absolutely central to making that work because you're so often the first port of call,” the health secretary said.
“At the same time, we're riding the greatest wave of innovation in the history of healthcare because people have had to do things differently, they've had to act flexibly, and they've had to embrace the spirit of integration that's overcome traditional boundaries because there were no other choices.
“It's that spirit that runs through the health and care bill.”
Hancock said up to 20 million GP appointments could - and “should” – be referred to pharmacies who would take “pressure off the system” by reducing demand and helping people stay healthy.
“Whether it is about your advice and care, whether it's about early diagnosis and spotting problems soon, I want to see people with minor illnesses referred to pharmacies... We know that the revolution of home testing, and much more activity in the patient's own hand the citizens' own home, that revolution will roll on, and you have a huge role to play as usually, the closest and most convenient point of call.”
“Just imagine what we can achieve with your capabilities in the community, if we can pivot the entire NHS to a population health-based approach.
He said this winter “we've got to deliver the biggest ever flu vaccination programme, alongside the booster shots for Covid” because “almost nobody has had flu now for 18 months and we know immunity will be down.
“I have absolutely no doubt after everything that's been achieved in the past 18 months that you can help us rise to this challenge and play a major part in it.
“As we look ahead at their post pandemic world, where we learn to live with Covid, as we do with flu, we know we are not going back to the old ways of doing things.
French model
In response to a question, the health secretary explained why he often spoke of the ‘French model’ of pharmacy.
“The reason I talk about the French model is because so much more early primary care and preventative work is done in pharmacies in France than is normal in the UK.
“I use the French model as a way to try to describe what is now increasingly happening, and what I really need is for you to come to us with the different things that we can change to make it easier to do more and more in pharmacy.”
Hancock said he is a huge fan of the role community pharmacies play and that he is excited at “the other things we can do as we come out to the pandemic”.
Online pharmacy
Asked about his thoughts on the growth of online pharmacies during the pandemic, he said they had an “important role to play”.
“It’s a different business model, and we have to make sure that the way policy works takes that into account.”
Hancock was speaking in Sigma's the third webinar of a series entitled 'Taking Pharmacy Forward'.
Vaccine deployment minister Nadhim Zawahi addressed community pharmacy in the first webinar in February.
A group of migrants board an inflatable dinghy before leaving the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the Channel to reach UK on August 25, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)
THREE people, including two children, died while attempting to cross the English Channel overnight off the coast of Calais, French authorities said.
French media reported that the children were on a boat carrying 38 people. The Prefect of Pas-de-Calais, Laurent Touvet, said another three people were missing from a separate boat trying to cross at Neufchâtel-Hardelot, BBC reported.
Mr Touvet indicated that those who died may have been crushed to the bottom of the boat. He blamed smuggling gangs for the deaths and said action would be taken against them.
France’s assistance and rescue tug, Abeille Normandie, rescued passengers from the vessel at around 05:00 local time (04:00 BST) on Wednesday, off the coast of Sangatte near Calais.
A third boat carrying 115 people was rescued by the French navy’s patrol boat. Mr Touvet said no injuries were reported, but described it as “probably the highest number we’ve ever seen”.
More than 20 people have died in the Channel this year. On Tuesday, a woman died while attempting the crossing off the coast of Dover.
Over 30,000 people have reached the UK in small boats so far in 2025. Last year, 50 people died making the attempt, according to French coastguard records.
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Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.
Trump says he will speak to Modi in the coming weeks amid trade talks
Modi calls US and India "close friends and natural partners"
Trade officials from both countries may restart meetings in September
US-India trade reached $129 billion in 2024 with a $45.8 billion US deficit
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump said on Tuesday his administration is continuing negotiations to address trade barriers with India and that he would speak to prime minister Narendra Modi, indicating a possible reset after recent friction.
Trump said he looked forward to speaking to Modi in the "upcoming weeks" and expressed confidence that the two sides could reach an agreement.
"I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries," he said in a post on social media.
Modi responds with optimism
On Wednesday, Modi said Washington and New Delhi "are close friends and natural partners." He added that teams from both sides were working to conclude the trade discussions soon.
"I am also looking forward to speaking with President Trump. We will work together to secure a brighter, more prosperous future for both our people," Modi said in a social media post.
India's shares rose over 0.5 per cent after the remarks from both leaders.
Trade deal uncertainty
Trump had said for months that a trade deal was close, but later doubled tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, raising doubts about the future of the U.S.-India relationship.
In recent weeks, Trump and top US officials criticised India for buying oil from Russia, saying New Delhi was funding the war in Ukraine, a charge India denies.
At the same time, Modi has engaged with China and Russia. He visited China last month for a summit hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and was also seen with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Analysts cautious
"While the social media statements by Trump and Modi signal a potential rapprochement between the U.S. and India, it is still premature to assume that a resolution will arrive swiftly," Madhavi Arora, economist at Emkay Global, said.
"With Trump, we will need to wait for more concrete signals that a deal is in the offing."
Meetings to restart in September
Trade officials from India and the US may meet in September to restart in-person discussions, CNBC-TV18 reported, citing sources. A US trade negotiators’ visit to New Delhi scheduled for August 25-29 was cancelled after talks stalled.
India's trade ministry declined to comment on reports of new meetings.
According to US Census Bureau data, two-way goods trade between the US and India reached $129 billion in 2024, with a $45.8 billion US trade deficit.
Tariffs and EU pressure
Trump recently said India had offered to reduce tariffs on US goods to zero but described the offer as late, saying the country should have acted earlier.
Reuters reported that Trump urged the European Union to impose 100% tariffs on China and India as part of pressure tactics against Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Indian officials in New Delhi said they do not expect the EU to take measures against India and that assurances had been given that EU trade talks would not be disrupted.
(With inputs from agencies)
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Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. (Photo: Getty Images)
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump praised Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Google CEO Sundar Pichai during a White House dinner with top technology executives on Thursday. The two Indian-American leaders thanked him for his leadership and for policies in the technology and AI sectors.
Trump described the gathering as a “high IQ group,” calling the executives “the most brilliant people.” Sitting at the centre of a long table, Trump was flanked by First Lady Melania Trump and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates on one side, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on the other. Pichai and Apple CEO Tim Cook sat across from him, while Nadella was seated toward one end of the table.
“It’s an honour to be here with this group of people. They’re leading a revolution in business and in genius and in every other work you can imagine,” Trump said.
After his remarks, Trump invited the technology leaders to share their thoughts.
Pichai said the “AI moment is one of the most transformative moments any of us have ever seen or will see in our lifetimes. So making sure the US is at the forefront.” He called the White House’s “AI Action Plan,” announced in July, a “great start.”
“We look forward to working together. And thanks for your leadership,” Pichai told Trump. “Great job you’re doing. Incredible, really,” Trump replied.
Turning to Nadella, Trump said the Microsoft chief “has done a pretty good job” and pointed to Microsoft stock rising from USD 28 to over USD 500. “What a job you’ve done,” Trump said.
Nadella thanked Trump “for bringing us all together” and for policies that support US leadership in technology. He added that market access and global trust in American technology were key.
“I think that everything that you are doing in terms of setting in place the platform where the rest of the world can not only use our technology, but trust our technology more than any other alternative, is perhaps the most important issue, and you and your policies are really helping a lot,” Nadella said.
Nadella also thanked the First Lady for hosting a discussion on AI and economic opportunity. Trump responded: “A really amazing job you’ve done.”
Earlier in the day, Melania Trump hosted a meeting of the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education, joined by Pichai, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and other industry leaders.
Speaking after Nadella, Gates said he is now in the second phase of his career, “giving away all the wonderful money that Satya’s good work has helped multiply a lot,” drawing laughter from Trump.
During the dinner, Trump asked Pichai about Google’s investment plans. Pichai said the company would invest USD 250 billion in the US over the next two years. “It’s great. We are proud of you. A lot of jobs,” Trump responded.
Trump also asked Nadella about Microsoft’s investment. Nadella said the company invests about USD 75–80 billion each year in the US. “Very good, thank you very much,” Trump said.
Responding to media questions at the event, Trump repeated his claim that he had “settled” seven wars, without naming them. He added that three of those wars had lasted 31, 34 and 37 years. Trump also said he would soon speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin, adding, “We are having a very good dialogue.”
Other attendees included Google co-founder Sergey Brin, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Oracle CEO Safra Catz.
(With inputs from PTI)
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Britain's prime minister Keir Starmer (R) and India's prime minister Narendra Modi (L) speak as they walk in the gardens of Chequers, in Aylesbury, England, on July 24, 2025. (Photo by KIN CHEUNG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer is expected to make his first visit to India in early October, with technology and trade ties at the centre of his programme. He is scheduled to join Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the Global Fintech Fest (GFF) 2025 in Mumbai, officials indicated on Tuesday (9).
The event, which runs from October 7 to 9 at the Jio World Centre, is organised by the Payments Council of India, the National Payments Corporation of India and the Fintech Convergence Council. It is promoted as the world’s largest conference in the sector and is supported by several Indian ministries and regulators, including the Reserve Bank of India and the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Mumbai will be the main focus of Starmer’s trip, which comes a little over two months after Modi visited Britain to conclude the bilateral free trade agreement. The agreement, formally known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), is now undergoing ratification in the UK Parliament. It sets a target of doubling bilateral trade to $120 billion (£89bn) by 2030.
Starmer’s visit may also include engagements in Bengaluru, reflecting the city’s role as a hub for India’s technology industry. The trip will follow shortly after the Labour party’s annual conference in Liverpool.
Officials in London and New Delhi have said the two leaders will use the opportunity to review progress across the wider India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Areas of focus include defence, security, education and innovation, in addition to trade.
Keir Starmer (R) and Narendra Modi have a cup of tea during a business showcase event at Chequers, in Aylesbury, England, on July 24, 2025. (Photo by KIN CHEUNG/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Technology cooperation has gained particular importance in recent years. The India-UK Tech Security Initiative, launched last year, aims to strengthen joint work in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, biotechnology, critical minerals and secure telecoms.
Speaking ahead of the event, Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, chair of the GFF 2025 advisory council, said the conference would explore how financial technology can be used to expand access and improve efficiency.
“The UK and India share one of the most dynamic economic relationships in the world. Financial services and technology are central to this association, with significant opportunities for a synergy between London’s global role in fintech and India’s digital public infrastructure and consumer base,” he said.
The theme for this year’s fest looks beyond artificial intelligence to what organisers call “augmented intelligence,” which combines human expertise with digital tools. According to the organisers, discussions will address how to create solutions that are responsible, inclusive and sustainable.
Policymakers, regulators, investors and academics are expected to attend, making the event a key platform for dialogue between the two countries. For Starmer, it will also provide an early chance to present his government’s vision for closer engagement with India, building on long-standing cultural and economic links.
Starmer accepted Modi’s invitation to visit during their talks at Chequers in July. At that meeting, both leaders underlined the importance of the relationship and expressed confidence that cooperation would expand further in the years ahead.
(PTI)
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Demonstrators gather in support of Khalistan during a Sikh rally outside the Consulate General of India, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on September 25, 2023.
AT LEAST two Khalistani extremist groups have received financial support from within Canada, according to a new Canadian government report on terror financing.
The report, titled 2025 Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada, named Babbar Khalsa International and the International Sikh Youth Federation as the groups receiving such support.
This comes two months after a report by Ottawa’s intelligence agency said politically motivated violent extremism in Canada since the mid-1980s has taken shape through Khalistani extremists seeking to use violence to create an independent nation state called Khalistan in India’s Punjab.
The new report defined Politically Motivated Violent Extremism (PMVE) as encouraging “the use of violence to establish new political systems, or new structures and norms within existing systems.”
“While PMVE may include religious elements, actors are more focused on political self-determination or representation, rather than racial or ethnic supremacy,” it added.
The report noted that several terrorist entities listed under Canada’s Criminal Code fall under the PMVE category, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Babbar Khalsa International, and the International Sikh Youth Federation. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies have observed these groups receiving financial support originating from Canada, it said.
In 2022, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada’s (FINTRAC) Operational Alert on Terrorist Activity Financing identified Hezbollah as the second most frequently noted international terrorist group receiving Canadian funds.
The 2025 Assessment also outlined PMVE financing methods. It said Hamas and Hezbollah are well-resourced groups that use a variety of methods, including abuse of money services businesses and banking sectors, use of cryptocurrencies, state financing, exploitation of charitable and non-profit organisations (NPOs), and criminal activity.
“Khalistani extremist groups supporting violent means to establish an independent state within Punjab, India, are suspected of raising funds in a number of countries, including Canada. These groups previously had an extensive fundraising network in Canada but now appear to consist of smaller pockets of individuals with allegiance to the cause but seemingly no particular affiliation to a specific group,” the report said.
The report highlighted misuse of non-profit and charitable activities as a concern.
“The misuse of the charitable and NPO sectors has been observed as a prominent financing method used by Hamas and Hezbollah. Khalistani violent extremist groups have also been known to use networks to solicit donations from diaspora communities to raise and move funds, including through NPOs,” it said.
It clarified that revenue from NPO abuse represents a relatively small share of terrorist groups’ operational budgets overall.
The report added that drug trafficking is the largest money laundering threat in Canada, followed by fraud, commercial trade fraud, trade-based money laundering, and tax crimes.
“These threats are each estimated to involve billions of dollars in illicit proceeds annually in Canada,” it said.
The report follows the Canadian Security Intelligence Service’s 2024 assessment, released on June 18, which stated that ongoing involvement in violent activities by Canada-based Khalistani extremists continues to pose a national security threat.
“Since the mid-1980s, the PMVE threat in Canada has manifested primarily through Canada-based Khalistani extremists seeking to use and support violent means to create an independent nation state called Khalistan, largely within Punjab, India,” the CSIS report said.
That report aligned with New Delhi’s position that pro-Khalistani groups in Canada have been carrying out anti-India activities with impunity.