Much is being said in the news and across various forums on how the new government will be building an NHS for the future. According to government sources, the goal is to move towards a Neighbourhood Health Service by delivering more care in local communities, spotting problems earlier, and easing pressure on primary care providers like GP surgeries.

To achieve this, resources will gradually be shifted to primary care and community services, which will be appropriately funded to handle increased demand. Additionally, the government plans to create a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service, giving pharmacists more independent prescribing rights where clinically appropriate. The Labour Government has commented:

The National Health Service needs to move to a Neighbourhood Health Service, with more care delivered in local communities to spot problems earlier. To achieve this, we must over time shift resources to primary care and community services and fund them appropriately.

We need to take the pressure off GP surgeries, by improving access to services and treatment through new routes. The government will create a Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service, granting more pharmacists independent prescribing rights where clinically appropriate.

https://labour.org.uk/change/build-an-nhs-fit-for-the-future/

 

How Precision, The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and a suitably funded Pharmacy network, will help achieve this

The government’s vision to build an NHS for the future hinges on shifting resources to local communities, easing the burden on GP surgeries, and empowering pharmacists with more responsibilities, such as independent prescribing. This is where community pharmacies, particularly independent ones, can play a crucial role in bringing healthcare closer to home.

NPA Connects is designed to support this shift. As an innovative marketing service developed by Precision Marketing Group in partnership with the National Pharmacy Association, it helps independent pharmacies embrace their evolving role as healthcare providers within local communities. With over 6,000 independent pharmacies across the UK, NPA members are ideally positioned to improve healthcare access by offering vital services to patients in their neighbourhoods.

However, for this vision to succeed, we need to increase awareness and change how the public perceives pharmacy. Many still see pharmacies primarily as retail outlets, unaware of the critical healthcare services they provide. Through NPA Connects, we can bridge this gap by equipping pharmacies with the tools, resources, and marketing support they need to become the first point of contact for primary care.

Through NPA Connects, pharmacies can access essential tools, resources, and marketing support to increase their visibility. It helps them become the first point of contact for primary care, allowing them to deliver healthcare services in a way that makes an impact locally while communicating on a national scale.

 

Changing behaviour, locally

Community Pharmacy has an awareness problem. They are mostly perceived as healthcare retailers than healthcare professionals that can help patients resolve a significant proportion of the ailments and illnesses we encounter as part of day-to-day living. Many have not heard of the Pharmacy First programme, a major shift in the contract between government and pharmacy in the UK and many more do not realise that all graduating pharmacists will be able to independently prescribe medicines from September 2026. The gap between GP surgeries and Pharmacy is closing.

Pharmacy is changing, actively embracing the part that they need to play but how do we change consumer behaviour through greater awareness and adoption, how do we encourage communities to think of the Pharmacy First for primary care.

But, and this is a big challenge, two-thirds of pharmacies in the UK are trading at a loss​. This financial pressure stems from a variety of factors. Pharmacies are increasingly relied upon to deliver essential healthcare services, especially in underserved communities, but the funding and resources to support this shift have not kept pace. Rising operational costs, cuts in government reimbursement rates, and the increased workload from offering healthcare services—such as vaccinations, consultations, and minor ailment treatment—have put significant strain on independent pharmacies.

As demand for healthcare services grows, pharmacies are being asked to do more with less. While they are ideally positioned to reduce pressure on GP surgeries and hospitals by offering accessible care, their financial reality is challenging. Without proper financial backing and community awareness, independent pharmacies struggle to market themselves effectively or invest in new services like independent prescribing, which could help ease NHS burdens.

For independent pharmacies to thrive and play a larger role in primary care, they not only require better financial support but also access to marketing and operational tools that allow them to reach their full potential through local community marketing.

 

How NPA Connects Helps Independent Pharmacies Succeed

For independent pharmacies to thrive in this evolving healthcare landscape, they need help. NPA Connects offers them the marketing power, operational efficiency, and collaborative tools they need to reach their full potential.

• Collective Marketing Power: Through NPA Connects, pharmacies can leverage the collective influence of over 6,000 members to communicate on a national scale while delivering locally relevant messages. NPA Connects provides access to centralised marketing hubs with ready-to-use materials, making it easier for pharmacies to promote services such as independent prescribing, flu vaccinations, and general consultations to the 40 million consumers living within walking time of their Pharmacy.
• Collaboration Across Stakeholders: NPA Connects brings together all relevant stakeholders—OTC Brands, Integrated Care Partnerships, Local Pharmaceutical Committees—helping pharmacies work more effectively with their communities to build awareness and change public perception. This collaborative approach ensures that pharmacies are not left alone to handle the burden of healthcare demands.
• Localised Marketing Support: The platform offers tailored tools and community engagement strategies to help pharmacies better connect with their local population through email, social media, and in-store promotions, providing real-time support to drive footfall and patient awareness.
• Operational Efficiency: Pharmacies can also benefit from automation tools that streamline marketing processes, allowing them to focus more on patient care and less on the complexities of media purchasing and campaign management. This is especially crucial as pharmacies balance their roles as healthcare providers and local businesses.

NPA Connects

NPA Connects is a partnership between Precision Marketing Group and The National Pharmacy Association that brings together all stakeholders to support community pharmacies in delivering better healthcare and easing the strain on the NHS. By leveraging the collective power of over 6,000 independent pharmacies, we can ensure they become the healthcare hub for their communities.

If you want to learn more about the NPA Connects initiative and benefit from localised marketing and national influence, please visit our supporting documentation or get in touch.

Visit: NPA Connects Brochure

Or contact Gary Howard at: gary.howard@precision.co.uk

Sources:

Labour Party’s Plan for the NHS: The quote about the National Health Service shifting to a Neighbourhood Health Service and granting pharmacists independent prescribing rights is sourced from the Labour Party’s plan for the NHS, which outlines their vision for healthcare.

https://labour.org.uk/change/build-an-nhs-fit-for-the-future/

The Pharmaceutical Journal (September 2024): Provides information on the financial struggles of community pharmacies, particularly the statistic that two-thirds of pharmacies in the UK are operating at a loss​

The Pharmaceutical Journal

Community Pharmacy England (August 2024): This report discusses the severe financial pressures on pharmacies, with additional details on closures and the reasons behind pharmacies’ financial struggles​

Community Pharmacy England
The Pharmacist