The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7348 p535
7 May 2005

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Independent pharmacies face huge challenges over new contract

The challenges facing independent community pharmacies in implementing the new contract are enormous, according to John Davies, retail services director for independent wholesaler Mawdsleys.

“Pharmacists have been inundated with advice over the past six months and how they take the new contract forward is in the forefront of everyone’s minds. But there are financial challenges and there are still concerns about how the contract will shake down.”

Mr Davies, who was speaking at a press briefing in London last week, suggested that independent pharmacies might have difficulties seeking advice that is tailored to their needs. “They [the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee, local pharmaceutical committees and the National Pharmaceutical Association] all presume to represent the broader church of pharmacy but they do not reconcile conflicts between multiple and independent pharmacies, resulting in inevitable conflict.”

He added that the Royal Pharmaceutical Society supports the professional interests of various groups — academic, industrial, hospital and community pharmacists. “How does it balance these various interests,” he asked.

Fin McCaul, an independent community pharmacist based in Prestwich, Manchester, said that most pharmacists are happy with the principle of the new contract but are struggling with the reality. He pointed out that many of the services included within the new contract specifications are not new to pharmacy but that pharmacists are not yet aware of their implications.

“As independents we’ll have no idea what the financial impact of the contract will be for maybe 12 months. So it is difficult to know how much investment to commit to my business,” he said.

Nick Adams, marketing manager for Mawdsleys, announced details of a quick reference guide developed by the company to help its customers through the first stages of the new contract. “The document outlines what can be achieved now and what needs to wait,” he said, adding that as the contract evolves Mawdsleys would produce more guidance.