The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7480 p611
1 December 2007

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Pharmacy numbers rise

Data released by the Information Centre show that in March 2007 the number of community pharmacies in England reached 10,133, a rise of 257, and the total for England and Wales was 10,839.

In 2006–07, community pharmacists conducted 579,965 medicines use reviews — almost three times the number in the first year of the contract (2005–06). In addition, 22,416 enhanced services were provided, an increase of 26 per cent on the previous year.

Prescription numbers have also continued to increase, although the net ingredient cost has fallen. The number of prescription items increased by 4.4 per cent to 745 million, while the net ingredient cost fell by 14p to £10.28.