'Conditions for success' revealed by pharmacy bodies

11 July 2013

A new manifesto for independent community pharmacy has revealed the main pressures facing the industry and detailed the 'conditions for success' which need to be put in place.

The document: From Survive to Thrive: A Statement of the Needs and Aspirations of Independent Community Pharmacy in the UK is the first output of the Manifesto for Independent Community Pharmacy initiative led jointly by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), the Association of Independent Pharmacy Multiples (AIMp) and the Independent Pharmacy Federation (IPF).

The document revealed that many independents are face daunting pressures. Many feel time challenged, financially stretched, isolated and pessimistic about the immediate future.

The top three problems for independents relate to:

* a deficient medicines supply chain,
* squeezed income and tightening margins, and
* a heavy burden of red tape which eats into time to care.

The document also lists 20 ‘conditions for success’, which, according to the authors need to be in place, aligned and mutually reinforcing to help the sector 'adapt to the environment and fulfil its potential'. The three organisations have committed to developing new work streams and to accelerating existing ones to:

• resist the tide of red tape getting in the way of time to care
• address the frustrations of being at the sharp end of a dysfunctional medicines supply chain
• level the playing field for independents when it comes to contracts, funding and commissioning
• develop capability and leadership throughout the independent sector
'From Survive to Thrive sets out what needs to happen to take the independent sector to a better place,' said Mike Holden, Chief Executive of the NPA. 'The hard part is turning what we have on paper into tangible improvements on the ground but we are committed to do this. The next phase of the Manifesto initiative is about working in partnership with our members to move things forward in very practical ways.'

'Independents are delivering a valuable service against the odds,' said Claire Ward, IPF Chief Executive. 'The Manifesto is about changing the conditions in their favour, so that they can fulfil their potential within health and social care and public health.'

'We are grateful to pharmacy owners across the UK who have contributed to the development of the Manifesto so far and we hope to see the same level of frontline engagement in the next phase of this initiative,' added Colin Baldwin, AIMp chief executive.

Task groups are currently being established to drive the Manifesto work streams. These will have a local reach so that input can be drawn continuously from the pharmacy frontline. Anyone wishing to take part in the groups can email independentsvoice@npa.co.uk to find out more.