The Young Pharmacists Group is planning to buy its own pharmacy. The business would serve as a showcase for the group's ideas and provide an income stream.
Mr Alistair Buxton (chairman, YPG) told The Journal on April 17 that the pharmacy would probably be in a city or town centre location so as to be large enough to employ two pharmacists. The YPG expected to be making serious progress towards buying the pharmacy within 12 months. The actual ownership of the pharmacy would be subject to considerable discussion and investigation, but might be a limited company or charitable trust.
Mr Buxton said that the YPG was particularly concerned to demonstrate to young pharmacists the benefits of owning and working in an independent community pharmacy. It would also be used as a base for practice research and training.
Mr Mark Koziol has been appointed project manager on a voluntary basis, and this is one of the reasons why he is standing down from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council. Mr Koziol told The Journal that through the YPG's recently elected panel of senior advisors he would have access to a group of experience pharmacy contractors. His initial contacts with pharmacy organisations and suppliers had revealed a high level of enthusiasm for the project.