12 Oct 2012
More than 1000 pharmacies are now benefiting from a three year membership arrangement with the NPA, after Sainsbury’s signed up this week for the extended period offer. Sainsbury’s is a longstanding NPA member, but the three year arrangement is a first for the company.
Day Lewis, the UK's largest independent multiple pharmacy chain, made the same move four months ago. Almost 10% of NPA member pharmacies are now supported by the arrangement, which sets fees at a fixed rate.
The NPA believes the popularity of its three year offer reflects a trend towards pharmacy owners wanting more certainty about support and outlay, when so much else in the operating environment of pharmacies is changing. The arrangement appears to be equally appealing to independents and multiples.
Chris Perrington, Pharmacy Superintendent at Sainsbury’s, said:
“We are happy to put our trust in the NPA by signing up to membership and indemnity insurance for an extended period. It is good to have consistent, quality support for all our pharmacists that we can rely on during a period of change, such as we are now experiencing in the general economy and in the health sector.”
Mike Holden, Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association said:
"Many members are favouring three year arrangements because it gives them a greater degree of certainty about services and support that they value when so much else in the environment is changing. We are delighted that Sainsbury's and so many other members have made such a commitment to us, showing confidence in what we are doing."
