Background to the NPA Future Pharmacy Network

The NPA developed this network in response to the challenges being faced by the pharmacy sector. The NPA’s aim is to campaign, support and connect community pharmacy and this project is one way to bring all of those together by providing key information, examples, research and more to help our members.

We understand that there are several tactics needed to address the wide range of challenges; two key areas we focus on are improving your private income work and maximising NHS funding streams. Our aim is to build this network of community pharmacies that will find ways to be more successful now and into the future.

The challenges faced by pharmacies across the four nations of the UK are diverse. One common theme is that community pharmacy is the front line of primary care but is often not fully financially supported in the way that it needs, and we all face rising costs.

In England, Pharmacies are amongst the most trusted form of health provider, but patients in England have lost around seven million hours of pharmacy access in the last two years due to funding cuts.

In Scotland, Pharmacy First is seeing positive results but are not immune to issues such as inflationary pressures. Launched across Scotland in July 2020, the number of consultations carried out under Scotland’s NHS Pharmacy First service increased by 60% in the first three full years since it launched, which is an amazing growth, however pharmacies have still had to cope with UK inflation at 2.8% and rising wage and utility costs.

In Wales, we see NPA members pioneering with independent prescribing, but understand changing consumer landscape, technology and increased competition will present new challenges. The common ailments service, available in 99% of pharmacies throughout Wales, provides access to free, confidential advice and treatments for 28 common illnesses including sore throats and urinary tract infections. Last year, more than 400,000 people used the service and it has helped almost 1.25 million since it was launched in 2013. However, the rise of new digital platforms continues to loom over the sector.

In Northern Ireland, our members have struggled with more than a decade of underfunding.  Service development, through provision of services under the Pharmacy First banner, is progressing slowly and is constrained by lack of IT infrastructure.  NPA members have barriers and increased costs with elements of medication supply due to implementation of the Windsor Protocol which maintains Northern Ireland's alignment with the EU single market for medicines, while it is part of the UK. 

We have spoken to numerous innovative NPA members who, through offering new private services, have seen an increase in patient numbers and therefore have been able to double the number of items they’re dispensing, expand their workforce and strengthen the sustainability of their business, transforming their pharmacies into vibrant practices

One of the aims of this project is to help you unlock these best practice ideas and examples, to help your business be more successful, whilst the NPA campaigns to address the issues you are currently facing.