DATA analysis company IMS Health has identified 315 pharmacies across the United Kingdom that are at "high risk" of closure following recent reforms which have reduced funding.
IMS used data from the UK National Health Service as well as the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee to highlight pharmacy businesses generating low levels of profit, according to a presentation at a conference in Rio de Janeiro last week which was reported in Chemist and Druggist.
The 315 "high risk" pharmacies are highly reliant on falling revenue from the government, generating 20% of their gross profit from the declining "establishment payment".
IMS Health UK director of supplier relations, Carol Alexandre, said many of the affected pharmacies were located in London, and 200 of them were within a 10 minute walk of another pharmacy.
Each pharmacy services about 4,500 people, with IMS concluding there would be significant disruption as a result and identifying it as a potential opportunity for other pharmacies but also a significant knock-on effect on GP surgeries, hospitals and emergency departments in terms of minor ailments.
In the analysis a further 2,400 British pharmacies were classified as at "medium risk" of closure, relying on government payments for 15% of their gross profit.
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