New Pharmacy Approved in London
A new pharmacy being approved in London is a fairly rare thing as the nation’s capital tends to be over supplied with pharmacies. This case was a little different from our normal work as Rushport was first instructed on this application back in 2019. Our client was operating a pharmacy at Harford Health Centre, but it was being operated under what was a temporary, “LPS” contract that was to expire in 2025. The only way that we could see to be able to continue offering services as to lobby the Health and Wellbeing Board to include the need for the pharmacy within their new PNA and we started that process many years ago. The publication of the PNA was repeatedly delayed and it was eventually published in late 2024. Crucially our client had managed to ensure that the (very specific) wording required to approve a new pharmacy as an “identified future need” was included within the PNA document. Despite many objections from local pharmacy operators our client’s application was approved by the ICB and that decision was upheld at appeal.
Many Health and Wellbeing Boards do not understand either their powers, or obligations, relating to identifying a need for additional pharmacy services. Some of these Boards will publish documents that complain about the closure of pharmacies within their areas without understanding that they also have the power to do something about the closures and lack of access to pharmacy services. Thankfully in this case we were able to work with all stakeholders and the future of our client’s pharmacy is now secured.