The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has commissioned an economic impact assessment of community pharmacy funding and policy framework in England.
The survey is looking to assess the robustness of the pharmacy market and consider how far restricted funding and the broader economic environment may impact on efforts to achieve NHS objectives.
Carrying out literature searches, interviews with stakeholders and a comprehensive survey of NPA members, an expert team will look to highlight current pressure points and the impact of foreseeable changes in funding and costs.
The research will also explore what this means for general practice, hospitals, patients and wider society.
The NPA expect to discover telling evidence about the capacity of the pharmacy sector to deliver on NHS objectives, in the context of current flat funding.
Speaking at the Sigma Pharmaceuticals conference, Acting Chairman of the NPA, Andrew Lane, said: “It’s the NPA’s duty, as the voice of independent community pharmacy, to speak out passionately but also factually.
“Therefore, we have secured the expert services of EY to deliver a detailed financial and operational analysis of the current and future position for independent pharmacies.
“Ministers and NHS officials say they want community pharmacies to be the first port of call for common illnesses, to help people stay well, to take on more clinical services and to relieve pressure on other parts of the system.
“This can only be achieved on a sustainable basis if resources match the level of ambition. Therefore, we hope they will welcome this economic study as a serious contribution to the evidence base that underpins the development of health & social care policy.”
