Problems with medicines supply are having a negative impact on nearly all community pharmacists, the results of a recent survey by the National Pharmacy Association suggest.

Posted to all NPA members across the UK in June 2009, the survey asked pharmacists to grade the impact that each of 19 factors is currently having on their ability to operate and sustain a successful pharmacy business.

Of the 515 pharmacists that responded, 41 per cent said that supply chain issues affecting the availability of medicines are currently having a critically negative impact, preventing them from running an efficient and profitable pharmacy, with a seriously or moderately negative impact reported by 40 and 18 per cent of respondents, respectively. The remaining 1 per cent thought that availability of medicines was having no noticeable impact on their business.

Medicines discounts and quality of service delivery in the supply chain were also revealed as key concerns for community pharmacists, with 96 per cent and 83 per cent of survey respondents, respectively, reporting a negative impact from these factors.

Finances and regulatory or administrative issues were also revealed as key pressures. More than 70 per cent of respondents reported that regulation or administration by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland) is having a negative impact on their business, compared with the four per cent that reported a positive impact. The remaining 25 per cent reported no noticeable impact.

Factors currently seen as having a positive impact on the operation of a successful community pharmacy include relationships with local GPs, and the perception of patients and the public, the survey revealed.

Gareth Jones, NHS liaison manager at the NPA, told The Journal: “The aim of the survey [was] to help ensure the NPA is fighting the members’ corner on the issues that matter most and prioritising the work we do,” adding that the results are not a surprise, and validate the work the organisation is already doing.

The survey findings were presented to the NPA board during its meeting last week. The NPA may repeat the survey in six to 12 months to track progress on key issues.