10 things about... automated dispensing

If it feels like computers are taking over the world, it’s because they are, but there are benefits from letting hard drives do the hard work

The cost of maintaining medicines supply

Pharmacy businesses are vulnerable at a time when medicine shortages are causing price fluctuations and wholesaler bills are difficult to pay

Get ready for your close-up

Video is the future of marketing and it’s high time you put your business in the frame.

In short supply: Scarce and expensive medicines

What does the current shortage of a range of generic medicines mean for community pharmacy contractors and their patients?

Just how hard are the pharmacy cuts biting?

How are contractors in England coping with the cuts to pharmacy funding so far? Could some contractors reach tipping point with their business finances?

FMD update: will the UK meet the 2019 deadline?

Recent political turmoil in the country has led to significant delays to the Falsified Medicines Directive implementation, which could be a cause for concern for community pharmacy

Should you cut your way to growth?

Pharmacies under pressure have a choice of cutting costs, or improving productivity – which works?

Legal advice: energy ratings

The buyers of my pharmacy have queried a rating of F on our energy performance certificate. What does this mean?

Sure you are complying with the National Minimum Wage?

Make a mistake in calculating a staff salary and you could be named and shamed

What's the cost of NHS savings?

NHS England’s review of “low value” prescription items has the potential to save up to £400 million a year, but what could be the implications?

Does your pharmacy run like clockwork?

Even the best pharmacies could free up time currently devoted to the dispensing process that could be put to better use

Professionalism in pharmacy

What professionalism is or isn’t may be difficult to define in practice

Rates reviewed

Chris Vowles explains what the new business rates assessment will mean for contractors

Quick wins to enhance your business performance

Creating a performance culture will enable you to make a difference to your business

Health warning: safety margin has been cut

A dispensing error has made the news. An unconscious baby was rushed to hospital after being given an anti-psychotic drug, olanazapine, instead of omeprazole. It was a case of the right label, wrong drug.

The impact of such incidents on the patient and their family is uppermost in our minds when things go wrong because we share the pain, feel the anger, experience the hurt and reflect on the sorrow made worse by the fact that we’re to blame. Saying sorry is never enough, and there are no words to embroider around that fact.

Preparing your business for sale

Tony Evans explains the key points to consider when selling your pharmacy