Digital transformation is essential if pharmacies are to survive

With health services across the country under severe pressure, community pharmacies are finding themselves on the brink. Over 400 pharmacies closed in the last year [1] , with one in ten chemist shops closing since 2015. Unless something is done, even more pharmacies are forecast to shut down. As pharmacies are built to function as the first point of contact for people looking for healthcare advice, it is crucial that they are given the necessary support to fulfil such a role. Pharmacy troubles Analysts have recently revealed that pharmacies are suffering a £67,500 annual shortfall due to a lack of government funding in line with economic growth [2] . In addition to funding cuts, increased costs are severely crippling pharmacies. The cost of antibiotics used to treat infections, for example, rose by more than ten times towards the end of 2022, with suppliers charging £14.95 for a bottle of penicillin, up from £1.30 at the start of 2022 [3] . However, funding difficulties are not the only problems pharmacies are facing. A lack of digitisation is leaving pharmacies hamstrung. In order for pharmacies to effectively support the NHS and take on a greater role in primary care, they must […]

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