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Those of us who work in community pharmacy know there is a workforce crisis created in large measure by PCNs actively recruiting pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from our sector. It is welcome, if long overdue, that this has now been officially acknowledged in a report commissioned by the English Health Secretary. PCN hiring 'exacerbates pharmacist shortage' says DH-commissioned report, which states such recruitment has "on occasion exacerbated the problem of a general shortage of pharmacists" which has compounded "the problem of community pharmacy closures." We have been telling the government this for years only to be told "problem? What problem?"- but now that Steve Barclay has his own official report sitting on his desk, he and NHSE cannot continue in denial mode. The facts are there for all to see. Time to act. No more dithering, delay or indifference. You asked if there was a problem and you have been told there is. In the absence of a holistic workforce strategy and cross-sector career pathways, PCNs poaching from community pharmacy is a zero sum game adding nothing to improving patient care.

Boots customers were left disappointed as the retail giant closed three more branches, two in Kent and one in Glasgow. On Sunday 21 January, Boots' branches in Cliftonville and Biggin Hill were closed, forcing locals to find an alternative pharmacy, Express.co.uk reported. Cliftonville residents have taken to social media to express their disappointment over the closure of their local pharmacy on Northdown Road. Even though there is another Boots branch in Margate, they said that Cliftonville branch is "much more accessible, with parking available right outside, on the bus route and surrounded by a residential area within easy walking distance." One resident has branded the retailer's decision as "crazy", as per the news portal.

In the parliamentary drop-in-event hosted by Community Pharmacy England last week, Members of Parliament (MPs) questioned the Health Secretary on the rising issue of medicines supply. "Eighteen community pharmacists in my constituency are reporting challenges on medicine supplies. What more is the Minister going to do to get a grip of this situation?", Mike Amesbury MP for Weaver Vale, who was present at the event last week, asked the Health Secretary. In his response, the Health Secretary, Steve Barclay MP said: "We have a long-standing team in the Department focused on medical supplies, which are a continual issue; as a matter of routine business, there are often challenges in that area." The Shadow Pharmacy Minister, Karin Smyth MP, also asked: "People across the country rely on local, accessible pharmacies, but whether it is high street closures or supply problems leading to the absurd situation where women are phoning or visiting multiple pharmacies for a prescribed dose of hormone replacement therapy and other drugs…They have repeatedly announced plans to expand the role of community pharmacies but have failed to update legislation that could possibly help. … Why will they not do so?

Pharmacists on the temporary register will be automatically removed on April 1, unless they have applied to rejoin the permanent register, the General Pharmaceutical Council has said. The government asked the GPhC and other pertinent health professional regulators to close temporary registers by March 31, 2024. According to the GPhC, this decision is based on the anticipation that the emergency conditions justifying the establishment of these temporary registers will cease after the approaching winter. The temporary register was established after the Health and Social Care Secretary asked the Council to utilise its emergency powers to swiftly register pharmacy professionals for their essential role in the national COVID-19 response. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians who had previously opted to withdraw from the GPhC register or failed to renew their registration are now eligible for immediate re-registration, the regulator added.

Over a century-year-old Boots pharmacy in St James's Street, Brighton shut its doors permanently on Saturday (20 January) leaving the communities disappointed. The branch in Kemp Town, which was opened to the public for the first time in 1914, was supposed to close on November 19 last year but continued trading into the new year, The Argus reported. Locals are not happy with the retailer's decision to close the store as some say it used to be "always busy with prescriptions and people buying things." Another person recalled that Boots had earlier closed two pharmacies, one on Lewes Road, Brighton, and another on Church Road, Hove. The American-owned health and wellbeing chain is in the process of closing more UK branches in the coming months as it's targeting to reduce its store portfolio to 1,900 from 2,200.

The emergency provision of pharmaceutical services, introduced to help maintain pharmacy services during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been extended to March 31, 2022. The provision allows contractors to make temporary changes to opening hours or temporary closures in condition of adequate reasons for these changes. Before making such changes contractors have to give 24 hours' notice to the NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE&I), and take approval from the department.

Boots has shut down three more stores, as it moves forward with its plan to close 300 stores across the UK over the next 12 months. On Saturday (18 November), Boots closed its branches in Mudge Way, Plymouth; Mount Pleasant Road, Exeter; and Low Moor Road, Kirkby, Ashfield. The NHS issued a memo to shoppers and patients who use the Plymouth branch, which is located next to Plympton Health Centre, to inform them that "you will need to find and nominate another pharmacy to dispense your prescriptions going forward." Patients can set their nomination by contacting their new pharmacy and requesting "they do this for you." According to DevonLive, a note was attached to the Mount Pleasant pharmacy door that read: "Boots Mount Pleasant Store will close on Saturday, November 18 2023.

The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) says the data from the 'Locate a Locum's annual report' has revealed that the average locum rate rose by 124 per cent in Scotland in 2021 compared to the previous year and that the trend seems to have continued since. According to the report, in Scotland, the average rate has risen from £20.08 to £44.89 which is a massive £24.81 difference. This was in response to the pharmacists Defence Association (PDA)'s statement on 15 times more closure of pharmacy in Scotland by a CCA member. "This clearly demonstrates that demand for pharmacists in Scotland is outstripping supply," said the association. Explaining further, it said: "Our members have been serving Scottish communities and patients without issue for decades. Recent pressures, however, are unprecedented. Workforce challenges are affecting all parts of healthcare across the UK - and community pharmacy is no different. Pharmacists remain on the Home Office's shortage occupation list for this reason."

Pharmacies lead among the list of 16 'most essential' services required for a neighbourhood, as revealed by the 2023 Community Barometer survey commissioned by the Association of Convenience Stores. In June, ACS commissioned Yonder Consulting to conduct a poll surveying the opinions of 1,000 people across the UK. The survey assessed how these individuals value 16 different services in their local area, defined as the region within a 15-minute walk from their homes. The survey's essential services included pharmacies, post offices, convenience stores, banks, petrol stations, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs, specialist food shops, non-food shops, fast food shops, vape shops, charity shops, pawnbrokers, hairdressers, and gyms or sports facilities.

Despite significant sales growth in the quarterly results, high street chemist Boots is moving forward with its plan to close 300 stores in the UK. The move, aimed at improving profit margins amid rising costs and competition, will reduce the chain's portfolio from around 2,200 to just 1,900. Last month, the U.S.-based Walgreens Boots Alliance, the parent company of Boots, announced upcoming store closures within the next year. However, the company assured that there will be no job losses as all employees will be given the opportunity to be redeployed to nearby shops. The following sites are confirmed for closure on the specified dates: Heathside Rd, Woking (end of July) UEA campus (end of July) Hamlet Ct Rd, Westcliff-on-Sea (August 1) Windhill Road, Wakefield (October 6) Upper Warrengate, Wakefield (October 7) Glastonbury (October 13) Guildford Road, Woking (end of October) Boots stores at Salford Shopping Centre in Greater Manchester, Church Street in Malvern, The Port Arcades Shopping Centre in Ellesmere, and King William Street in London have already closed since spring.

Tesco, one of the leading pharmacy chains in the UK, has been allegedly accused of forcing some locum pharmacists to accept lower rates or it will cancel their booking. The issue has been brought to the notice of the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) by some of its locum pharmacists members. "Some locum pharmacists who had existing confirmed bookings at Tesco stores have reported to the PDA that the company has contacted them to say that if they do not agree to accept lower rates than have already agreed, the company will cancel their booking," said PDA. "The reported messages follow a communication from Tesco setting self-imposed so-called "wage rates" for locums. This is confusing as locums are self-employed and therefore should be able to negotiate rates with their clients just as any other independent supplier can do. Using terminology such as "wage rates" is more indicative of an employer-employee relationship and could undermine the status of the locum market in community pharmacy. Employees are also entitled to various extra benefits and have greater employment rights."

A Boots UK branch store in Hinckley town centre closed 'until further notice' as there was 'no pharmacist available' to work on Monday (May 9). A local news report said: "The sign on the door reads: "Unfortunately, we are unable to open until further notice. We are working hard to get this rectified. "We apologise for the inconvenience. Hearing care appointments please wait here to be greeted."" LeicestershireLive reported a patient saying that their appointment for a hearing aid check had been postponed until Tuesday. It added: "The customer was surprised to be told by staff that the store had to close as there was no pharmacist available."

Product packaging affects the effectiveness of pharmaceuticals to a great extent. This is why pharmaceutical companies ensure they choose appropriate packaging for drug products. Drug packaging is not always an easy job. However, the tips in this article will help you select the proper pharmaceutical packaging for drug products without stress. What Does Pharmaceutical Packaging Entail? Pharmaceutical packaging involves using packaging containers with safety closures such as a lidding film to hold pharmaceutical products. This is done to keep them safe and effective. The most commonly used packaging materials in the pharmaceutical industry are metals, glass, and plastics. These materials are used for different reasons and different products. In short, a pharmacist considers several factors regarding a product and its target audience before choosing a packaging material for pharmaceutical formation. Why Appropriate Packaging Matters Many benefits come with appropriate pharmaceutical packaging. These benefits make it essential to package drug products in the best ways possible. When pharmaceutical items are properly packed, they can reach patients for a safe prescription. As a result, the drug stands a higher chance of achieving its prescription purpose. More so, properly packaged drug products are safer to consume and can be trusted.

Haleon, the consumer healthcare giant behind brands like Sensodyne toothpaste and Advil painkillers, has announced plans to shut down its Maidenhead manufacturing site in the UK. This decision will impact 435 employees and comes as part of a broader strategic realignment of the company's global manufacturing operations according to BBC. The Maidenhead facility, which has been in operation for years, manufactures some of Haleon's most popular oral health products, including Sensodyne and Parodontax. However, following a comprehensive review of its manufacturing capabilities, the company has concluded that the site is no longer economically viable. In a statement issued by a spokesperson for Haleon, they stated, "Following a strategic review of our global manufacturing capabilities, we have determined that our Maidenhead site is no longer a viable option for the manufacture of our products."

Pharmacists working in Northern Ireland think the retention fees are too high, and most would prefer to pay in instalments, if that option is available, amid the increased living costs, a new survey has found. 97 per cent of the respondents to the survey, conducted by the Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) of its Northern Irish members, felt the fees were too high. Four in five said they would opt to pay in instalments if this option were available to them in light of the challenges of significant one-off payments. On average, the fees accounted for 23 per cent of a pharmacist's take-home pay for one month, and 98 per cent did not see any value added to their professional standing for the sum, according to the survey. The PDA said the respondents also reported feeling disadvantaged among their colleagues in terms of how fees are collected, with many also wondering why the registration fee was not offset for those on maternity leave or working reduced or flexible hours.