Independents down 30 per cent over past decade

There were 10,462 pharmacies in contract with PCTs/LHBs in England and Wales at March 31, 2004 , an increase of 10 over the previous year, according to the latest DoH Bulletin on General Pharmaceutical Services for England and Wales , released today.

The total number of pharmacies has changed very little over the past decade, but the number of pharmacies that are “independent” (those in chains of 5 or less) has reduced by 29.89% since 1994-95.

The percentage of pharmacies in chains of more than five outlets rose from 52% in 2002-2003 to 53% in 2003-2004. During that period 52% of pharmacies closing were within 500 metres of another pharmacy but 34% of pharmacies opening were more than 1km from the nearest pharmacy.

Some 45% of pharmacies received a payment for providing additional agreed hours of service and 28% received a payment for providing advice to residential and/or nursing homes in 2003-2004. 244 pharmacies received a payment under the Essential Small Pharmacies scheme.

During 2003-2004, pharmacies in England received 611.8 million dispensing fees, an increase of 42.7% from 1994-95. In Wales , pharmacies received 49.1 million dispensing fees, an increase of 46.1% from 1994-95.

The average NIC cost per fee in England in 2003-2004 was £10.26, a decrease from £10.87 in 2002-2003.

The average NIC per fee in Wales in the same period was £11.23, an increase from £10.00 over the previous year.

Cardiff (BroTaf LHB) reported the largest collection and disposal of unwanted medicines through community pharmacies in 2003-04 - a staggering 33,800kg according to the official figures.

The Bulletin can be accessed at http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/10/53/43/04105343.pdf

Multiples now dominate pharmacy scene

The number of pharmacies in chains of more than five has increased nearly 60 per cent over the past nine years, revised DoH statistics reveal.

Correcting the General Pharmaceutical Services in England and Wales 1994-95 to 2003-04 published in January, the figures show 53 per cent of pharmacies now operate in a chain of more than five, up from 33.6 per cent.

The number of pharmacies dispensing more than 10,000 items per month has soared from 177 to 661 (a 273 per cent rise) while the number of pharmacies dispensing fewer than 2,000 items a month has more than halved from 1,866 to 743.