The Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 267 No 7179 p873-877
22-29 December 2001

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Pharmacy numbers continue to fall slowly

The number of pharmacies in contract with health authorities in England and Wales has continued a slow decline from its peak, falling by three during the year to 31 March to 10,471, one fewer than in 1991–92. However, during the same 10-year period, the number of prescription dispensing fees in England has risen by 36 per cent to 520.5 million and in Wales by 37.2 per cent to 41.3 million.

Although the total number of pharmacies has not changed greatly over the past 10 years, the number of independent pharmacies (those in chains of five or less) has fallen by 27.5 per cent, with only 50.4 per cent being independent in 2000–01. Health centre pharmacies account for 1.6 per cent, the rest are multiples.

In the year to 31 March 2001, 50 per cent of pharmacies received payments for additional agreed hours of service and 34 per cent payments for providing advice to residential and nursing homes. Essential Small Pharmacy Scheme payments were made to 265 pharmacies.

The mean number of prescription items dispensed per month was 4,386. The median pharmacy dispensed 3,893 items per month, with 25 per cent dispensing fewer than 2,630 and 25 per cent more than 5,601.

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