NPA investment set to boost independent pharmacies’ digital interface with patients

The NPA has again shown its commitment to helping community pharmacies improve efficiency by further strengthening its partnership with the innovative Charac app.

The Association has invested £700,000, by way of a loan, in the NHS-integrated app which enables pharmacies save time and easily digitise their services.

Charac aims to lessen independent community pharmacies’ operational burdens by improving efficiency and simplifying duties. It allows pharmacies to manage prescriptions as well as create bookings, conduct consultations, as well as organising delivery of medication via the Royal Mail.

NPA Director of Membership Simon Tebbutt said the investment emphasised the association’s support for innovation in the independent community pharmacy sector.

“Our aim is to help independents with their digital interface with patients,” he said.  “Together, the NPA, pharmacy owners and Charac will ensure that independent pharmacies can meet modern consumer expectations and adapt to the ever-evolving environment.

“Those pharmacies that can deploy innovative tech to release capacity and deliver clinical services will put themselves in a stronger position to withstand the sector’s intense workforce and financial pressures.”

Charac can be used by all NPA members, however services vary dependent on which country the pharmacy is located.

More than 400 pharmacies have signed into the app since launch, with that number forecast to reach 2,000 by 2024.

For more information on the agreement, click here