Analysis

Medicines

Over 5,600 drug shortages reported to DHSC since October 2020

More than 5,600 drug shortages have been reported to the DHSC since October 2020, and the number of reported shortages is creeping up.

17 Sep 2024 , 1 Min Article

desert-1280x720

Public health

Rural ‘pharmacy deserts’ threaten medicine supplies, says NPA

Rural areas risk being left as ‘pharmacy deserts’ if current pharmacy closure rates continue, says the National Pharmacy Association. The recent wave of closures has seen nearly nine in 10 council areas across England losing community pharmacies.

03 Sep 2024 , 3 Min Article

closed-1280x720

Business environment

Nearly 20pc of voters see a local pharmacy close in past 12 months, NPA poll finds

The NPA is warning that pharmacy closures will ‘pile pressure on GP surgeries’.

03 Jul 2024 , 2 Min Article

distress-1280x720

Mental health

Medicine shortages ‘causing moral distress’ among GPs

Three quarters of family doctors are experiencing moral distress because they cannot access medicines they know their patients need, a survey has found.

11 Jun 2024 , 1 Min Article

medicine-delivery-summary

Services

Demand for medicine deliveries ‘much higher’ than service availability

Forty per cent of British adults say they would like their medicines delivered.

07 May 2024 , 2 Min Article

closure-new-1280

Business environment

NHS figures show net loss of 432 pharmacies in England in 2023-24

The Company Chemists’ Association has warned that the situation is having “a disastrous impact on patients”.

02 May 2024 , 2 Min Article

pharmacy-first-1280

Public health

CCA: Pharmacy First must be funded beyond March 2025

The Company Chemists’ Association said its members have delivered over 90,000 Pharmacy First consultations since January 31.

01 May 2024 , 1 Min Article

patient-older-1280

Public health

Analysis: Healthwatch report reveals public attitudes towards pharmacies

The report called for greater support for pharmacies including more funding and help dealing with workforce shortages.

30 Apr 2024 , 4 Min Article

closed-sign-summary

Business environment

Permanent pharmacy closures up five-fold in the space of a year

Net pharmacy closures rose to 432 in 2023-24, warns the CCA

29 Apr 2024 , 1 Min Article

survey-2024-1280x720

Business environment

Study: Independents optimistic about turnover but face big challenges

The study by CIG Research revealed independents were not hopeful about their prospects of generating a profit in 2024.

12 Apr 2024 , 6 Min Article

Public health

Measles on the rise and scarlet fever higher than five-year average

The total number of cases since October 1 last year is now 934, with London showing “an increase in activity."

04 Apr 2024 , 1 Min Article

otc-meds-aisle-summary

OTC

OTC medicines market suffers dip as inflation bites

Product prices up 8 per cent as unit sales decline, says PAGB.

22 Mar 2024 , 2 Min Article

pharmacy-patient-summary

Services

CCA: Pharmacy First has had ‘strongest start’ of any national service

Multiples delivered 1,500 consultations a day collectively in the first month of the service.

19 Mar 2024 , 2 Min Article

pharmacy-technician-summary

Employment

Community pharmacies losing technicians to hospitals after training

A GPhC survey indicates that many pharmacy technicians leave the sector after training.

19 Mar 2024 , 2 Min Article

pharmacist-on-the-phone-summary

Business environment

Slight climb in pharmacists’ confidence about the future, says Lloyds Bank

Confidence levels up on last year but 'still in negative territory' with mixed financial outlook

13 Mar 2024 , 1 Min Article

woman-with-pill-bottle-summary

Mental health

BSA reports 1.6% rise in antidepressant prescribing in three months

Number of antidepressant items rises by 400,000 over a three-month period

07 Mar 2024 , 1 Min Article