The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 277 No 7427 p596
18 November 2006

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Contract favours multiples

The NHS pharmacy contract favours large pharmacy chains rather than small independent businesses, according to Verdict Research.

“Apart from the savings that can be made in administration and operating costs, large businesses also have the advantage of scale in IT implementation, best practice sharing, services marketing and contract negotiations for enhanced services,” said Verdict analyst Maureen Hinton.

Verdict’s report, commissioned by Lloydspharmacy, predicts strong growth in the market stimulated by the ageing population, which will drive growth in NHS prescriptions, which already amount to 77 per cent by value of the UK pharmacy market.