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Analysis by IQVIA revealed that over the past four years, from May 2020 to May 2024, the average number of prescriptions processed by pharmacies has risen by 8 million per month. However, this is happening against the backdrop of a declining number of pharmacies. During these four years, nearly 900 pharmacies have closed in England, with almost 500 of those closures occurring in the last 12 months. Carol Alexandre, vice president at IQVIA, presented the data at the recent SIGMA UK Community Pharmacy Conference 2024, where she shared insights into the dynamics of the UK market, the pharmacy sector, and the Pharmacy First initiative. As of August 2024, there were just 10,059 community pharmacies (excluding distance-selling pharmacies) in England, 1,589 less than in March 2015, when the number stood at 11,647 (source: NHS BSA). There has been a significant shift in the distribution of pharmacy ownership, with independents (single pharmacies and chains with 1-5 stores) and regional chains (pharmacy chains with 6-200 stores) growing at the expense of managed chains.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, during today's (15th May ) Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), reiterated his commitment to supporting community pharmacies amidst growing concerns over pharmacy closures. Addressing questions regarding the Pharmacy First initiative, Sunak assured the House of Commons of his dedication to bolstering resources for these vital healthcare providers. In response to a query raised by Member of Parliament, St Ives MP Derek Thomas, citing statistics from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) about "committing to directing funds towards Community Pharmacy to alleviate financial pressure and prevent closures, Sunak remarked that he "cares deeply about the future of community pharmacies." Sunak acknowledged the indispensable role played by community pharmacists in alleviating pressure on urgent care services, emphasising the importance of initiatives like Pharmacy First in government's commitment to supporting community pharmacies. "There are over 10 and a half Community pharmacies across the country working incredibly hard to serve their patients," Sunak said praising the community pharmacists and highlighted the concerning trend of pharmacy closures, citing a significant increase compared to the previous year.

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) is gearing up to conduct a vital Pharmacy Advice Audit, calling on pharmacy owners and their teams to help measure the increasing reliance on pharmacies within communities. With years of financial strains impacting the sector, despite the much-needed £645 million recovery plan funding, the sector finds itself on the edge. The launch of Pharmacy First sparked a notable surge in people seeking advice from community pharmacies, both within and beyond the funded service, as revealed by recent sector polling. To accurately assess this trend and advocate for sustainable funding, CPE is initiating an audit to gather data crucial for showcasing the extent of unfunded care provided by community pharmacies. Scheduled to commence this week, the Pharmacy Advice Audit will entail pharmacy teams documenting informal healthcare advice dispensed over a single day.

Ensuring comprehensive healthcare services for the community necessitates collaboration between pharmacies and GP surgeries. However, several pharmacists have voiced concerns about a lack of cooperation from their local GPs in implementing the Pharmacy First (PF) service. In a survey conducted by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) covering 470 pharmacies across England, three-quarters of pharmacists (77 per cent) indicated that local GP practices are not appropriately referring patients to the new service. The survey highlighted instances of patients either not being referred or being referred but found ineligible for support through Pharmacy First. Additionally, one in five NPA members (19 per cent) felt that their local GP practices were not engaging with the initiative at all. Commenting on the issue, NPA chair Nick Kaye said: "Feedback from across our network suggests that the rollout of Pharmacy First varies considerably from area to area.

Responding to an MP's question in the House of Commons, prime minister Rishi Sunak reiterated his deep concern for the future of UK community pharmacies, stressing their commitment to enhancing the sector with an additional £645 million in funding through the Pharmacy First initiative. At the recent Prime Minister's Questions last Wednesday, Angela Richardson, the Conservative MP for Guildford, raised the issue of rising pharmacy closures, revealing that Guildford recently lost two neighbouring pharmacies. Highlighting that empowering local pharmacies is a key part of this government's plan to cut waiting lists, she asked Sunak whether he would agree that it is vital for residents to have access to "a good, efficient, and above all, local pharmacy." In response, Sunak said: "I care deeply about the future of our community pharmacies."

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.

Pharmacy minister Stephen Kinnock has pledged to enhance the role of community pharmacies, particularly in deprived areas, by making better use of the skills of pharmacy teams. In a video message at the SIGMA UK Community Pharmacy Conference 2024 on Sunday, Kinnock also announced plans to expand the Pharmacy First initiative and introduce an independent prescribing service, making prescribing an integral part of the service delivered by community pharmacies. He said: "Since taking on the role of minister of state for care in government, my message has been very clear: we must get our fantastic primary care sector back on its feet to be able to deliver for our patients. "This government is committed to shifting care from hospital to community, from analogue to digital, and from sickness to prevention, and pharmacies will play a vital role in that." Kinnock acknowledged the pressures faced by the sector and expressed concerns that so many community pharmacies have exited the market over the past decade.

As an Alphega pharmacy mentor, Sue Dobson has worked with pharmacists across the country, helping them adapt to the growing responsibilities and challenges they face in their profession. One of the most exciting developments in recent years has been the Pharmacy First initiative, which positions community pharmacists as key players in patient care, especially through GP referrals. However, Sue has seen firsthand that the success of this initiative depends largely on the strength of the relationships we build with GPs and how we integrate these referrals into our day-to-day operations. Some pharmacists have thrived by establishing strong, collaborative relationships, while others have struggled to break down initial barriers of trust. In this conversation, she speaks with Anil Chauhan, a Preston pharmacist who, along with his partner Yasar Hussain, has made GP referrals a seamless part of their practice. Their success story is a great example of how perseverance, trust-building, and a proactive approach can truly make a difference in the Pharmacy First model. Sue Dobson: Anil, you and Yasar have done a great job with the Pharmacy First initiative and GP referrals. Can you start by sharing how you first got involved with GP referrals and what made it successful in your practice?

Health secretary Wes Streeting has pledged to stabilise the community pharmacy system before enabling it to take on a broader role in healthcare, as he addressed the Health and Social Care Select Committee in Parliament on Wednesday (18 December). "Now that we have got the budget set, we will be consulting with Community Pharmacy England shortly in the New Year," Streeting stated. "I do want to reassure pharmacists across the country that we are taking into account the enormous pressures they are under when thinking about allocations so that we can stabilise the system and create the foundations from which to recover." The health secretary emphasised that his top priority is to "stabilise the [community pharmacy] system" before expanding initiatives such as Pharmacy First and independent prescribing. He also expressed a vision for community pharmacies to play "a bigger role… as part of the shift from hospital to community," but stressed that immediate steps are required to address the sector's current financial strain. The announcement that Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) negotiations will commence early in the New Year was reaffirmed by Streeting, echoing a statement made earlier in the week by minister for care Stephen Kinnock during a Westminster Hall debate.

A call to action has been issued by the Company Chemists' Association (CCA) in its submission to the Darzi Review, highlighting the critical need for recognition and revitalization of the community pharmacy sector. The CCA warns that chronic underfunding and a flawed Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) have resulted in a reduction of over 1,200 pharmacies since 2015. This reduction, coupled with increasing workforce pressures, is exacerbating health inequalities, particularly in deprived communities. The CCA's submission stresses that the government must address these longstanding funding issues to fully unlock the potential of community pharmacies in addressing the nation's health challenges. The report argues that while initiatives like Pharmacy First have been positive, they only scratch the surface of the sector's capabilities.

The current funding and contractual framework for community pharmacy is not fit for purpose, the Health and Social Care Committee report has concluded, recommending a complete overhaul to reduce its complexity. Published today, the report highlighted the necessity for a new framework to ensure adequate funding and to prevent damaging cross-subsidy between clinical services and prescription dispensing, as is presently observed. The report revealed that community pharmacy funding has fallen by over 30 per cent in real terms since 2015, resulting in an annual shortfall of at least £67,000 per pharmacy for individual owners. More than 1,100 community pharmacies have closed since 2015, of which were serving the most deprived areas, it said. MPs on the committee have urged the government to address medicine shortages, warning that they could undermine flagship initiatives such as 'Pharmacy First' by eroding public confidence in pharmacists. "People living with type 2 diabetes, ADHD, epilepsy and cystic fibrosis, and those experiencing the menopause, have faced challenges accessing the vital medication they need. Many others are facing similar experiences.

As the general election campaign heats up, major political parties - including Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats - have released their manifestos, detailing their plans and visions for the future of community pharmacy. While the Conservative Party promises to expand Pharmacy First initiative, Labour pledges support for small businesses, with plans to overhaul the business rates system. The Liberal Democrats' election manifesto commits to developing a fairer and more sustainable long-term funding model for pharmacies. Announcing their plans recently, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that they are investing in community care services to secure the future of the NHS and make healthcare more accessible. The Conservatives plan to fund these initiatives by cutting NHS managerial positions back to pre-pandemic levels and halving the government's management consultancy expenditure.

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has partnered with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and several national pharmacy leadership organisations from four different global regions to launch a humanitarian relief campaign called 'Medicines to Gaza'. Building on the success of the 'Medicines to Ukraine' campaign, which raised over £4.5 million in collaboration with European pharmacy organisations, the PDA is now extending its humanitarian efforts to support those in need in Gaza. Mark Koziol, PDA chair, said: "I am enormously proud that we have been able to persuade FIP and the national pharmacy leadership organisations from across four different regions of the world to join this important initiative and this is just the start. "This gives significant capacity for our profession to work together to bring humanitarian relief to the people of Gaza." The PDA's 'Medicines To' campaign was endorsed by FIP at its annual conference last year, where South Africa became the first country to officially sign up. Since then, 12 countries have pledged their participation. The campaign aims to provide pharmacy support during humanitarian crises worldwide.

The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has urged NHS England to expand the Pharmacy First service by increasing treatment options, adding more conditions, and integrating Independent Prescribing into the service. This would further promote pharmacists as antimicrobial stewards while enhancing patient access to urgent care, it said. Managing patient demand for antibiotics remains a challenge for healthcare professionals, including pharmacists. However, a new report by CCA confirms that pharmacists are acting as responsible providers of antibiotics, in line with Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) guidelines. The service allows pharmacies to provide advice and treatment, including prescription-only medication, for seven common conditions: earache, uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women, sore throat, sinusitis, infected insect bites, impetigo, and shingles. Patients can access the service via GP referrals or by visiting or contacting a pharmacy directly.

The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has responded positively to the Labour Party's manifesto, which outlines plans to bolster community pharmacy services and shift the NHS towards a more localized, prevention-focused model. Key proposals include the creation of a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service and the enhancement of care delivery in local communities. Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the CCA, expressed strong support for these initiatives and said: "We welcome the Labour Party Manifesto's clear focus on moving to a 'Neighbourhood Health Service', prevention, and the return of the 'family doctor'." "Harnessing community pharmacy is crucial to delivering each of these," Harrison added.

Recently, Australia introduced a new law that restricts the sale of all types of vapes exclusively to pharmacies, as part of an effort to eliminate recreational vaping nationwide. Controversially, pharmacies will soon be permitted to sell nicotine vapes without requiring a prescription under this law. Although this initiative aims to improve national health, it has angered pharmacists, who fear it will ultimately turn their premises into modern-day tobacconists. "This is just going to create more hassle for me," a senior pharmacist told The Times. In response to mounting concerns about a new generation becoming addicted to nicotine, the Labor government last Monday implemented a ban on the sale of all vapes, whether they contain nicotine or not, outside of pharmacies. Australia has become the first country in the world to enact such a measure.

The Company Chemists' Association (CCA) has voiced strong support for a recent report from the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), which advocates for the establishment of a 'Digital Health Record' (DHR) for every individual in the UK. The CCA, which was interviewed as part of the report's development, believes that the creation of a DHR could significantly enhance the NHS's efficiency, improve preventative healthcare, and help the health service harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI). The TBI report highlights that the current health and care system suffers from fragmented data, with individual records scattered across various providers, including community pharmacies. This siloed approach often hampers the delivery of seamless and effective care. A unified DHR, the report argues, would consolidate all relevant health data into a single, accessible record, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care across the entire healthcare system.

The UK government on Thursday (8 May) launched a new plan to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a global issue that makes infections difficult or impossible to treat. This is the second phase of a series of 5-year national action plans, aimed at supporting the government's 20-year vision to contain and control AMR by 2040. With the launch of this new national action plan, the UK commits to reducing its use of antimicrobials - such as antibiotics, antifungals and antivirals - in humans and animals. Additionally, it aims to strengthen surveillance of drug-resistant infections before they emerge and incentivise industry to develop the next generation of treatments. There are also plans to expand initiatives such as the world-first 'subscription model' for antimicrobials, launched in 2019 as a pilot.

The British Generic Manufacturers Association (BGMA), the representative trade association for off-patent medicines, has established a new Women's Networking Group aimed at fostering learning, networking, and career development opportunities for women in the generic and biosimilar medicines industry. Clara Carter, UK country manager of generics at Accord Healthcare, has been elected as the first chair of the group, and Elaine Holisz, strategic engagement director at Advanz, as its vice chair. Clara expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, saying, "This is a really important association initiative which will cover a wide range of topics and issues." "At its heart, I want it to be about identifying and nurturing talent and breeding confidence in future industry leaders. We will offer mentoring and speaker opportunities among a wide range of potential activities." With over two decades of experience in the off-patent medicines industry, Clara is committed to providing participants with practical insights and guidance. Diane DiGangi Trench, Country Head UK & Ireland for Sandoz and current chair of the BGMA, highlighted the importance of the initiative, "The Women's Networking Group will be a brilliant platform to encourage new voices in our industry and I am really looking forward to participating in the planned programme."

NHS England has confirmed the initial sites that will test and implement Martha's Rule in the first phase of the programme. This follows the announcement in February regarding NHSE funding for the major patient safety initiative for this financial year. The scheme is named after Martha Mills, who died from sepsis at the age of 13 in 2021. She had been treated at King's College Hospital, London, where a failure to escalate her to intensive care and a lack of response to her family's concerns about her deteriorating condition contributed to her death. Martha's Rule aims to provide a consistent and understandable way for patients and families to seek an urgent review if their or their loved one's condition deteriorates and they are concerned this is not being responded to. NHS England on Monday (27 May) announced that the scheme will be implemented at 143 hospital sites across the country by March 2025.