Future Pharmacy Network

Introduction

Background

The NPA Future Pharmacy network was established to help tackle the challenges facing our members. Its purpose is to campaign, support, and connect community pharmacy. Through this initiative, we bring these elements together by providing members with essential information, practical examples, research, and more to support their journey.

Find out more

With the challenging funding crisis in community pharmacies across the UK and cash flow being essential to business sustainability, members are continually finding it difficult to operate in these conditions.

The NPA is committed to ensuring the commercial and professional sustainability of our members and the Future Pharmacy Network aims to provide essential guidance, support and resources.

The NPA Future Pharmacy Network has been designed and developed based on input from a Steering Group of innovative NPA Pharmacy owner members.

We have produced assets and materials to reflect the nuances of the pharmacies across the UK, providing a practical approach to adapt changes across your pharmacy business to supporting change and growth.

Our aim is to enable our members to support the delivery of:

NHS services through maximising opportunity to engage
Private services (non-IP led) through tools and information to deliver and/or enhance private services which can grow income
Independent Pharmacist prescribing services to provide enhanced services through this channel

Benefits to NPA members

No additional cost for active NPA members

Access to commercial and professional support

Provides support to pharmacies at different stages in their journey

Considers unique business needs

It is an evolving network where content and updates will be made ongoing

Example

There are a number of scenarios below as to how to use the Future Pharmacy Network assets. Each member will have unique challenges both in terms of where they are in the development of their business and proposition and their own personal development.

The below table provides scenarios and pathways of how members can use the programme:

Current business focus

Suggested focus areas

Mainly NHS

Understand, unlock and maximise NHS services revenue streams.

Utilise the LMI reports and nation specific funding overview.

Identify missed opportunities. Access service support and action planning support to implement and deliver NHS funded services.

Offer NHS and private services but no Independent Prescribing services

Having maximised NHS funded revenue streams, consider the development of private services to meet the needs of your locality.

Explore the range of services delivered through our trusted PGDs and other clinical services.

Offer NHS and private services with Independent Prescribing services

Explore and unlock the opportunities afforded by independent prescribing. Support and guidance is available for those embarking on the IP journey or those that have successfully obtained accreditation.

FAQs

Find out more about the most common asked questions about the NPA Future Pharmacy Network

This project has been developed in response to our sector facing acute funding issues.
The NPA are committed to supporting our members both professionally and commercially. In an ever-challenging environment, we are looking to support our members navigate the plethora of opportunities both NHS and private services.
We are looking to inspire, motivate and enthuse members to explore and innovate by sharing insights and support members to embrace change and realise opportunities to help mitigate the current finding issues.
The project is ever evolving and is aimed to support members both professionally and commercially.
The programme has been developed with insights and consultation from a stakeholder group of NPA members to understand the current challenges, needs and potential opportunities for the sector.
The project incorporates tools and support to:
1. Realise full potential of NHS income
2. Start or expand the existing provision of private services
3. Support pharmacists who looking to embark their journey to become Independent Prescribers and support those who have gained their Independent Pharmacy accreditation.
Each of the key pillars above are underpinned by resources and case studies. In addition, we have also developed additional content such as change management, a developing your team and additional business support, tools and guidance.
The case studies incorporate interviews with key member pharmacies to provide a personal perspective in terms of the challenges and opportunities specific to a range of relevant topic area.
We have used a variety of formats including videos, articles and resources downloads to help members access the key information.
We will be constantly adding new content and information to this network and it grows.
All Future Pharmacy content is accessible for free to all active NPA members.
Where appropriate, we will look to help members with information and signpost other service providers to help you achieve your goal. For example, you may want to set up a travel clinic with one of our trusted partners, these additional services accessed through 3rd party providers will be at an additional cost.
The Future Pharmacy Network is not intended to be a linear course or programme, but rather as a suite of tools and support based on your individual needs.
The programme has been developed to get you to consider and identify your own needs and areas for development (for example by using and understanding the data insights available to you as an NPA member in your My Local Insights reports).
Once you have identified your area of focus, there are a plethora of resources to help you realise your true potential.
In summary, the extent at which you engage with the content, and the rate at which you undertake the journey to develop yourself and your business is entirely up to you.
The content is primarily aimed at owners and individuals with senior management roles within pharmacy. However, there may be content that is suitable for other team members.
In an ever-evolving environment, where our teams often play a crucial role operationally and in supporting the delivery of clinical services you may wish to embrace a one team approach and include them in helping you develop and execute your strategies.
We would suggest that owners(s) or pharmacy managers provide clear focus and direction for the team and also highlight clear roles and responsibilities.