Five successful pharmacy applications in rural areas

There were five successful pharmacy applications in controlled areas in England during 2022-23, which is more than the combined total of such applications over the past four years, latest NHS data shows.

Despite a net reduction in the pharmacy network of 91 over the past year, the number of distance selling pharmacies rose by 23 businesses. The year 2022-23 is also the third year of consecutive growth for this sector, according to the latest NHS report, General Pharmaceutical Services in England 2015/16 – 2022/23.

In contrast, the number of multiple providers fell by 152 during the year. Independent pharmacies grew their ranks by 44.

The General Pharmaceutical Services report shows that only pharmacies dispensing more than 8,000 items a month grew their market share of dispensing. The average monthly dispensing volume now stands at 6,965 items.

In total, the size of the pharmacy network stands at 11,414 active community pharmacies, which is 535 fewer businesses than in 2015/16.

Key statistics include the following:

A total of 297 new pharmacies opened, while 388 pharmacies closed
Some 1.08 billion prescription items were dispensed by community pharmacies. This is a 3.4 per cent increase from 2021/22
Some 11 million prescription items were dispensed by appliance contractors, a 2 per cent increase from 2021/22
Some 1.04 billion prescription items were dispensed via the Electronic Prescription Service (EPS). This is 96 per cent of all items dispensed, a small increase from 2021/22
The cost of drugs and appliances reimbursed totalled £9.7 billion, a 7.5 per cent increase from 2021/22.

To read the full report visit: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/statistical-collections/general-pharmaceutical-services-england

England NHS Statistical Reports Pharmacy Owners' News