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The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is inviting pharmacy technicians and pharmacists who have undergone revalidation since October 2022 to share their experiences by participating in a survey. Additionally, pharmacy professionals are encouraged to provide feedback on the impact of revalidation and offer comments and suggestions for improving the process. The Council said: "The purpose of this survey is to ensure that the current revalidation process is effective and meets the needs of professionals and the public." To support this review, the GPhC has appointed the consultancy firm Grant Thornton, which will also help in identifying any gaps and determining areas that may require further development. "The Grant Thornton review will contribute to the development of potential changes to the revalidation framework," it said.

O'Briens Pharmacy Group has sold Bispham Pharmacy as part of a strategic review of its nine-site portfolio, now reduced to eight, across the Fylde coast region. Christie and Co, the property adviser, recently announced that the group's popular Blackpool pharmacy business has been acquired by first-time buyer, Arif Bhuriya. Bispham Pharmacy, which dispenses around 4,500 items per month, is situated in the heart of Bispham's commercial centre, opposite a bustling shopping area. The community pharmacy has been in this location since February 2021, following a minor contract relocation. O'Briens Pharmacy Group provides pharmacy services across Fleetwood, Thornton-Cleveleys, Bispham, Burscough, Liverpool, and surrounding areas. Aisling O'Brien, owner of O'Briens Pharmacy, explained the rationale behind selling the Bispham site: "When we had a strategic review of our group, we saw Bispham as an ideal site to dispose of, knowing it would fare much better in the current climate as an owner-operated site.

The STADA Health Report 2024, published today, has revealed a significant decline in satisfaction with national healthcare systems across Europe, with a notable drop seen in the UK, Germany, and Kazakhstan. According to the report, satisfaction with the UK's healthcare system dropped sharply by 11 percentage points in just one year, falling from 67 percent in 2023 to 56 percent in 2024, likely fuelled by "post-pandemic pressure on the National Health Service (NHS)." In 2020, satisfaction stood at 85 percent before declining to its current level. In terms of discontentment over healthcare, Britain is followed closely by Kazakhstan and Germany, where satisfaction fell by 10 and 8 percent respectively in one year. The 10th annual health report released by global healthcare leader STADA Arzneimittel AG, the parent company of Thornton & Ross, is based on a survey of over 46,000 respondents aged 18 to 99 across 32 countries, with around 2,000 respondents in each country. A continuous decline in satisfaction levels has been observed since 2021. Overall satisfaction with healthcare systems in Europe was recorded at 74 percent in 2020, just before the pandemic. This figure dropped to 71 percent in 2021, 64 percent in 2022, and 61 percent in 2023.

People in the UK have a high level of trust in pharmacies and many are keen on seeing the Pharmacy First initiative expanded, according to the 2024 STADA Health Report published today (24 June). The 10th annual health report by global healthcare leader STADA Arzneimittel AG, the parent company of Thornton & Ross, involved a survey of over 46,000 respondents across 23 countries, including 2,000 participants from the UK. The UK data showed an overwhelming trust in UK pharmacies, with 94 per cent of those surveyed (more than nine out of 10 Brits) saying they have only ever had good advice from a pharmacist. The report also indicated a strong desire for the Pharmacy First scheme to be expanded, with 44 per cent of respondents advocating for an increase in pharmacists' scope of responsibilities to support doctors.