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Independent pharmacy is at the heart of our communities. And it matters more than ever, says Dr Chris Martin…

The year 2026 is already shaping up to be pivotal for the pharmacy sector. Pharmacy First continues to evolve, new clinical services are being developed and independent prescribing pharmacists are playing a greater role in community settings – all while continued investment in automation is reshaping how care is delivered.

Since the start of the year, Alliance Healthcare, by Cencora, has also been busy, expanding distribution partnerships with Astellas and Chiesi, increasing rollout of the Pencycle recycling scheme and launching Brand Boost, the new downstream commercial offering which has been adopted by over 2,000 pharmacy customers.

The winter tested the resilience of community pharmacies across the UK. Rising demand and continued financial constraints have created significant challenges for pharmacy teams, coupled with the outbreak of a ‘super-flu’, a vicious cold snap and high norovirus activity.

Yet, every day, pharmacies have worked tirelessly to provide services promptly and reliably. Community pharmacy is where patients turn for reliable health and wellbeing advice and access to their life saving medicines.

But more than that, pharmacies play a vital role in supporting primary care, relieving pressure on GP surgeries and other services while consistently providing expert care, just where it’s needed. Spring offers an opportunity to refocus attention on prevention and early intervention, with community pharmacy increasingly recognised as a vital clinical service provider. The year ahead will see patient expectation grow.

Pharmacies are adapting to new ways of working and are embracing innovation. But these changes are not without challenges and it is vital to ensure pharmacists are appropriately supported as they manage rising demand and increasing complexity in pharmacy services.

Transformation alone cannot secure a sustainable future for pharmacy. It must be underpinned by real investment and practical support and guidance for every staff member.

As we move into spring, it is crucial that every pharmacy team member feels enabled, empowered and properly trained to deliver services effectively. Successful pharmacy services provision depends on a well-trained, supported and empowered workforce.

Collaboration in the sector is equally important. Support networks like Alphega Pharmacy are crucial, helping to share best practice, strengthen capability and provide practical tools for independents, allowing them not just to survive but thrive.

I am inspired by the resilience and adaptability across community pharmacy. The professionalism demonstrated every day by pharmacies makes a tangible difference to patient care. The sector has endured, adapted and continues to deliver.

By combining the partnerships and change programmes already underway, we can move beyond managing demand to transforming care at the heart of communities.

We can also support a stretched pharmacy supply chain that continues to face significant pressure, where the wholesale sector plays a vital role in ensuring continuity of supply across the system.

Dr Chris Martin is a non-executive advisor to Alliance Healthcare by Cencora.