2020 was probably the most challenging year that community pharmacy has ever faced, certainly in our professional memory. A combination of the ongoing funding cuts and the COVID-19 pandemic has been a perfect storm for pharmacy owners, pharmacists and their teams. Yet those same people have been magnificent in their response, putting their patients and their communities before themselves. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we all think and act and it has accelerated changes in consumer … [Read more...] about A new year, a new resolve
Future of pharmacy
Pharmacy Reset & Recover
As community pharmacy reflects on and learns from its excellent response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the time is now right to move forward and plan for reset and recover. Large multiple pharmacy groups are already announcing significant restructuring and remodelling plans in response to the financial, operational and landscape challenges, but where does that leave independent pharmacy? Negotiations on COVID-19 related costs have now begun plus discussions on next steps for implementation of the … [Read more...] about Pharmacy Reset & Recover
Collaboration, integration and transformation
As we all move forward into a reset, reform and recover phase, it is critical that we learn from and build on community pharmacy's excellent and dynamic response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Collaboration If there is one of the many hashtags doing the social media rounds over the last two months that best fits the Coronavirus response it is undoubtedly #allinthistogether We have complete admiration for pharmacy teams who are putting outstanding and safe patient care, often ahead of personal … [Read more...] about Collaboration, integration and transformation
Pharmacy Transformation
Some would say that transformation in pharmacy will never happen, some that it is overdue; others would say its on the horizon, but most are witnessing that it is here and now! We are going to experience a radical and rapid evolution in what community pharmacy looks like and does in the next five years, those who adapt will continue to successfully operate as healthcare providers. In 2009 we looked ahead at what was fairly predictable and being looked for by commissioners. That led to the … [Read more...] about Pharmacy Transformation
A new year, a new Government, a new NHS… what’s new for community pharmacy?
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock, recently gave a speech on the newly elected Government's priorities for the NHS: Prevention: because prevention is better than cure People: because we need more people working smarter Technology: because patients and clinicians demand better Infrastructure: because buildings matter too. The following extract from the speech relates to Community Pharmacy and the prevention priority building on the Healthy Living Pharmacy … [Read more...] about A new year, a new Government, a new NHS… what’s new for community pharmacy?