Dear PharmaPlus Member,

A very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all. 🎉

As we begin 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the journey we have shared with you over the past year. Your steadfast dedication, resilience, and commitment to delivering exceptional patient care, despite it still not being recognised with additional government funding, is inspiring. From persistent medicine shortages to rising operational costs, the challenges we’ve faced as a sector have been significant. Yet, even in adversity, we remain committed to recognising opportunities.

Many pharmacies have had to make tough decisions, and sadly, closures continue to affect the sector. Despite these pressures, you have stood tall as the bedrock of your communities, offering a lifeline of care to patients when they needed it most.

Although the Pharmacy First service was an innovative NHS-commissioned service in 2024, it too has faced its challenges. Despite unreasonable targets and GP surgeries leading on patient signposting, you have soldiered on.

Embracing New Opportunities: Expanding Your Horizons in 2025

At PharmaPlus, we have worked hard to provide you with the tools, resources, and guidance to help you adapt to a rapidly evolving NHS landscape. While maximising NHS-commissioned services is essential, we believe the key to our future lies in reducing reliance on NHS-funded services and embracing Private Clinical Healthcare Services (PCHS) to meet the needs of modern patients. To this end, we’ve been developing and rolling out innovative solutions to help you grow and diversify your offerings—helping your business become both more efficient and profitable.

Private Blood Testing Service (PBTS) 🩸

There’s a myth that patients in deprived areas won’t pay for PCHS—you’ll never know unless you try! These services often have a low-cost starting base.

After over six months of discussions with our partners, we are excited to launch our own PBTS. This service will not only enhance the health of your patients but also provide a high-profit margin to boost your pharmacy’s bottom line. It’s an exciting step forward in meeting the growing demand for preventative healthcare services.

Private Prescription Service

This zero-cost service is an incredible opportunity that every pharmacy should embrace. It’s easy to implement, hassle-free, and designed to generate additional revenue without extra expenses. If you haven’t already registered for this service, you’re missing out!

Private Healthcare Services Suite ✈️ 🩺

From phlebotomy to travel clinics and advanced diagnostics, these services are designed to future-proof your pharmacy. By diversifying your offerings, you can meet the growing demand for accessible, convenient healthcare and ensure your business remains competitive.

Visit privatepharmacyservice.com to learn more about these exciting opportunities and how they can transform your practice.

By becoming proficient in operating these clinical services now, you’ll be well-positioned when the NHS looks for experienced providers in the future. PharmaPlus will support you every step of the way, including assistance from a resident GP now working with us.
 

Innovations in Efficiency: Saving Time and Money

To further help with the invaluable commodity of time, we’ve supported the development of DataPlast, PharmaPlus’s nominated cutting-edge drug price cascade system. This innovation is already saving our members significant time and money, enabling you to focus on what truly matters—serving your patients and expanding your services.

By streamlining drug procurement, DataPlast eliminates much of the stress associated with supply chain management, allowing you to direct your energy toward growth.

Collective buying through PharmaPlus amplifies these benefits. If all member pharmacies used the same nominated suppliers and DataPlast, PharmaPlus would process over 1 million items each month. This scale could lead to even keener prices, benefitting all members.

If you haven’t explored DataPlast, contact us at info@pharmaplusltd.co.uk to learn how it can support your business.

Looking Ahead to 2025: Building a Stronger Future 🙏

As we step into 2025, the future of community pharmacy remains uncertain. While new NHS funding may emerge following negotiations with the Department of Health, don’t hold your breath. Even if it does, stringent conditions will likely be attached to access retained margins.

What is clear is that PCHS is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Patients are seeking convenience, accessibility, and preventative care, and community pharmacies are uniquely positioned to deliver what the NHS cannot.

PharmaPlus remains committed to supporting you every step of the way. Whether through training, mentorship, or one-on-one guidance, we are here to ensure you have everything you need to succeed. Together, we will lead the transformation of community pharmacy in the UK.
 

A Heartfelt Thank You and a Call to Action

To all our members, thank you once again for your resilience and unwavering dedication throughout 2024. You have faced every challenge with courage and strength, making community pharmacy the cornerstone of primary healthcare.

Visit our clinical services webpage: www.privatepharmacyservice.com to explore the opportunities waiting for your business.

Reach out to us at info@pharmaplusltd.co.uk to learn more about DataPlast, the Private Blood Testing Service, and the Private Prescription Service. Together, let’s secure the future of YOUR pharmacy and set new standards for patient care.

Wishing you, your teams, and your families a prosperous and successful New Year.
 

Warm regards,

Hiten Patel MRPharmS

Managing Director, PharmaPlus Ltd.