By Neil Trainis

This article was originally published by Independent Community Pharmacist

The National Pharmacy Association’s director of membership Simon Tebbutt has insisted local communities are placing greater reliance on independents to meet their healthcare needs because of “market movements involving LloydsPharmacy and Boots.” 

Tebbutt (pictured) told Independent Community Pharmacist that LloydsPharmacy’s disappearance from the high street, confirmed today by its parent company Hallo Healthcare who said all its branches in the UK have now been sold, was “historically significant for our sector.”

Revealing “many” NPA members have bought a LloydsPharmacy branch, he said: “We are now supporting others who have purchased their first pharmacy. Independent pharmacies tend to be embedded in their community and provide a highly responsive service that meets local needs. Characteristically they go the extra mile to provide an impressive level of care.

“They also tend to innovate and respond rapidly to new needs, as we saw with the response of independents to Covid vaccinations. Patients, communities, the NHS and government have always relied on a strong independent sector, even more so since the market movements involving Lloyds and Boots.” 

In June, Boots said it would close 300 stores amid continuing speculation its owner Walgreens Boots Alliance is still looking to sell the chain. With uncertainty surrounding the future of the UK’s largest pharmacy chain and LloydsPharmacy now gone, there appears to be more opportunities for independents in the pharmacy market. 

“All pharmacies are facing tough conditions so new owners (of LloydsPharmacy branches) will experience strong head-winds as they look to establish themselves and progress,” Tebbutt said.

“But the NPA is here to help, with a comprehensive package of support, from insurance, learning and development, expert advice and a network of trusted partners.”