Everyone who owns or works in a community pharmacy in England is experiencing a very challenging time, both professionally and commercially. The current funding settlement together with reinstatement of the temporarily postponed Category M overspend recovery, creates further cashflow and profitability issues for many owners, particularly independents. This is on the back of almost three lost years whilst the judicial review of the previously imposed funding settlement was pursued when we were … [Read more...] about Planning for a sustainable 2019 and beyond
Pharmacy Cuts
Pharmaceutical Services Report 2017/18
What is it? NHS Digital have released their latest report on services provided by community pharmacies in England between 2007/08 and 2017/18. What does it say? The total number of community pharmacy contractors fell by 80 (0.7%) on 2016/17 to 11,619 with the proportion of independents (5 or less pharmacies) remaining at 38% The number of 100 hour contracts fell by 10 to 1,179 The number of distance selling pharmacies rose by 29 to 350 The total number of prescriptions dispensed … [Read more...] about Pharmaceutical Services Report 2017/18
Beyond the JRs
The Judicial Reviews challenging the cuts have been dismissed. The judge’s view was that they were not unlawful and, in the context of the £22billion funding gap faced by the NHS, the cuts were inevitable. The Department of Health got a rap on the knuckles for poor process and limited disclosure of facts, but the fact is, the cuts are here to stay. So what does that mean for community pharmacy owners? The pain has already been felt from the initial reduction in fees and the impact that has … [Read more...] about Beyond the JRs