Report examines changes in community pharmacy
How community pharmacy is developing is examined in a new report published by the Community Pharmacy Research Consortium.
The report — “Change and evolution in community pharmacy” — covers
changes in the ownership of community pharmacies, the role of the community
pharmacist, a shift in the focus of professional activity and the use
of technology to enhance the pharmacist’s role. Its findings are
based on a
systematic literature review including 324 papers. The research was conducted
by Professor Christine Bond and colleagues at the departments of general
practice and management studies, University of Aberdeen.
In terms of the market environment, the report identified ongoing decline
in the number of independent pharmacies and an expansion in the multiple
and supermarket chains. The report predicts a polarisation between these
two groups, with the chains operating as low-cost, low-service commodity
product providers and the independent pharmacies concentrating on added
value services. This will have major implications on patterns of consumer
usage of community pharmacy, the report notes. “There is a need
to ensure appropriate consumer access to pharmacy services, to preserve
choice and at least maintain if not improve the current level of service,” it
recommends.
In discussing the ability of pharmacists to extend their roles, the report
suggests that two factors are important: increased use of pharmacy technicians
and the introduction of technology into the dispensing process.
Another factor that will have important implications for community pharmacy
is the changing attitudes of consumers, it says. In particular, consumers
are becoming increasingly assertive and have higher expectations of service
standards.
Georgina Craig, head of National Health Service service development at
the National Pharmaceutical Association, comments: “This report
is essential reading for anyone working to develop the role of community
pharmacists. It outlines the challenges community pharmacy faces in the
context of both developments in primary health care and the retail environment.”
The Community Pharmacy Research Consortium produced the report in collaboration
with a number of other pharmacy organisations. The report is available
here and
can also be purchased from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s practice research division, price £25
(tel 020 7572 2276). |
