Data shows largest multiples close more than fifteen times more often than other owners
Data provided in response to Freedom of Information requests in Scotland shows that the largest pharmacy businesses closed branches for full or part days at more than 15 times the rate of other community pharmacies.
Data received from NHS Health Boards in Scotland has enabled us to identify the difference in closures rates between types of pharmacy businesses. By comparing the reported closures of those largest community pharmacy chains, the eight members of the Company Chemists Association (CCA) against other pharmacy owners, a significant difference has been highlighted.
Official figures show that during the first five months of 2022 non-CCA member pharmacies reported 114 occasions across Scotland that they had to close due to unforeseen events. We fully understand that 100% opening in accordance with the commitments given to the NHS is never likely to be achieved in practice as genuinely unforeseen circumstances may occur that cause unexpected closures, such as last-minute sickness, power cuts, extreme weather, etc. |