New Pharmacy Business Consulting

Pharmacy Consulting Ltd (PCL) offers independent advice and support to customers seeking to open a new pharmacy business, or can advise on the relocation of an existing pharmacy business.

The support available here can start with PCL researching and making a well reasoned site specific contract application case, for submission to the relevant NHS authorities for an NHS dispensing contract for the new pharmacy premises under the ruling legislation. Sometimes PCL may subsequently be asked to make or defend a case should an appeal against a rejection of a contract application be made or received.

If a contract has already been applied for or awarded, PCL can support the applicant downstream of the contract application and award. New pharmacies are expected to open within just 6 months of contract award and there are a myriad of tasks that need to be done to get a new pharmacy open from specifying the pharmacy requirements with specialist shop fitters , to advising or assisting with recruitment, stocking, Pharmacy IT, automation etc (See Useful Resources on this site for an activity listing).

PCL has experience of working with most of the major specialist pharmacy shop fitters. It is good practise to obtain at least 2 or 3 quotations and designs from different shop fitters that meet the customer’s pharmacy specifications as advised and agreed by PCL. No commission is sought or taken by PCL from shop fitters.

Depending on the anticipated level of business of a new pharmacy, it may be appropriate to consider automating the new pharmacy from day 1, as doing so later can be less successful and more disruptive for customers and staff

For new pharmacies being developed within health centres, pharmacists are also likely to have to deal with property development companies or consultants working for them. It is usually necessary to have to make a competitive bid to such companies to gain access to the development. PCL has advised pharmacists upon making such bids including advising on what is an appropriate level of “key money” and rent to pay depending on the anticipated level of GP occupancy, and also advised on the tenancy contracts that they are likely to be expected to sign.

Case Studies

• Pharmacy Contract in a Rural Area
• Independent Community Pharmacist