published 18.11.22

6 min read

2020 State of Pharmacy

The annual survey where pharmacists share their views on what it’s like running a pharmacy today.

Welcome to State of Pharmacy, the annual survey where pharmacists share their views on what it’s like running a pharmacy today. The inaugural report dives into the pressing issues facing pharmacy, including the new government contract, funding cuts and Brexit.

We surveyed over 100 hundred pharmacists across the UK, collecting 2,750+ data points to build an accurate snapshot of pharmacy in 2020. We have enlisted key pharmacy stakeholders to share their expertise and insights on the future of pharmacy as we begin a new decade.

Supported by

01

Pharmacists believe gross margins are being squeezed

60% of pharmacists believe the biggest threat facing pharmacy in 2020 is gross margins being squeezed.

This was followed by adapting to the new five-year NHS pharmacy contract (22%) and competition from online pharmacies. (13%)

Many pharmacies are struggling because of a combination of squeezed funding, medicines shortages and inflated prices.

Mark LyonetteCEO of the NPA

60

%

believe the biggest threat in 2020 is tighter gross margins

22

%

believe the biggest threat in 2020 is adapting to the new 5-year NHS contract

02

Brexit concerns weigh on pharmacists across the UK

84% of pharmacists believe Brexit will have an impact on their pharmacy.

87% say they are concerned about the supply of medicine, with 42% considering stockpiling drugs in preparation.

39% of pharmacists expect their teams to shrink after Brexit, while 55% predict they will stay the same. Only 6% expect their teams to increase after Brexit.

Pharmacies need to be aware of the potential impact. I believe the main issues will almost certainly centre around more shortages and the impact on patients.

Phil GaltMD at Lindsay & Gilmour Pharmacy Group

87

%

say they’re concerned about medical supply

84

%

believe Brexit will impact their pharmacy

03

Pharmacists turn to private prescriptions as NHS revenue shrinks

84% of pharmacists say they hope to dispense more private prescriptions in 2020.

82% of pharmacists expressed an interest in offering private doctor consultations from their pharmacy.

One pharmacist in England said reducing NHS revenue "will need to be converted into private services revenue to survive".

84

%

say they hope to dispense more private prescriptions believe Brexit will impact their pharmacy

04

Prescription delivery set to become widespread

81% of pharmacists say they plan on offering prescription delivery in 2020.

Of those who are set to offer prescription delivery, 8 in 10 say they will offer it for free.

Pharmacies are offering services such as free home delivery in an attempt to preserve market share. They have to compete with not only community pharmacies, but also online pharmacies who offer free delivery.

Dr Zubair AhmedCEO of Medicspot

81

%

say they plan on offering prescription delivery

05

More pharmacies are set to close in 2020

A PSNC analysis found 233 pharmacies were shut down in the past two years after government funding cuts.

98% of pharmacists think that this trend will continue in 2020 and more pharmacies will be forced to close.

Only 8% of pharmacists believe that now is a good time to open a new pharmacy.

233

think this trend will continue in 2020

98

%

pharmacies were shut down in the past 2 years

06

Pharmacies need to have a digital presence

66% of pharmacies say it is important to have an online presence, with a further 28% saying it is fairly important.

66% take advantage of services like Google Maps, 65% have their own website and 63% use social media to promote their pharmacy.

Almost four in ten (37%) have tried using online advertising to reach new customers.

Independent pharmacists should use online advertising to promote their pharmacy. It's a no brainer. It works.

Saam AliCEO of Pharmacy Mentor

65

%

have their own website

63

%

use social media to promote their pharmacy

07

Pharmacists are embracing e-commerce

54% of pharmacists say they will sell products and services online in 2020.

78% of pharmacists predict it is 'very important' to adopt new technologies in their pharmacy in 2020.

78

%

say they will sell products and services online

54

%

predict it is ‘very important’ to adopt new technologies

08

More public awareness is needed

While pharmacists are capable of so much more than dispensing prescriptions, they are often underutilised in primary care.

73% of pharmacists believe the public are unaware of their capabilities.

73

%

think this trend will continue in 2020

09

Pharmacists fear the new government contract will decrease revenue

81% of pharmacists feel their revenue will decrease as a result of the new government contract.

Across the UK, 40% of pharmacists say the services commissioned by their local commissioner are decreasing, and only 11% of pharmacists think they are increasing.

61% of pharmacists think additional commissioned services won't make up for revenue lost from MURs being decommissioned.

Community pharmacy needs to have a plan for the changing environment, the changing demands of patients, and the changing commissioning environment.

Sanjay GanvirDirector at Green Light Pharmacy group

81

%

feel their revenue will decrease as a result of the new government contract

61

%

think additional commissioned services won’t make up for revenue lost

10

More training required for NHS consultations

The NHS Community Pharmacist Consultation Service (CPCS) sees pharmacies earning £14 per consultation.

However, 52% of pharmacists say they have not had enough clinical training to deliver the service.
£

14

say they’ve not had enough clinical training to deliver the service

52

%

The NHS CPCS sees pharmacies earning £14 per consutation

Thanks

A team of phenomenal people made our State of Pharmacy report possible. We would like to thank the National Pharmacy Association for their support and the experts for their commentary. And of course, we couldn't be more grateful to all of the pharmacists who took time out of their busy schedules to share their perspectives, allowing us to put together an accurate snapshot of pharmacy in 2020.

Additional Info

Please get in touch with us if you have any questions regarding the Medicspot State of Pharmacy 2020