Pitfalls in pharmacy and prescribing clinic partnerships

Prescribing in pharmacies is an emerging opportunity, and I’m passionate about supporting proper governance arrangements for businesses. But does the
governance and administrative burden reduce if your business is not doing the prescribing?

Recently, I’ve come across several independent pharmacy businesses across the UK who have been approached by prescribing clinics to dispense medicines for
their patients. While these partnerships can present lucrative opportunities, they also come with significant responsibilities and potential risks. Pharmacy
owners and superintendent pharmacists must be fully aware of the guidance set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and ensure that all requisite checks
are performed to maintain compliance and safeguard patient safety.

The growing trend of prescribing clinic collaborations
For one reason or another, private prescribing clinics are sprouting up all over the place, offering specialised services such as weight management, hormone
therapy, or dermatological treatments. These are quickly becoming a prominent feature in our healthcare landscape. Many of these clinics lack in-house dispensing
capabilities, leading them to seek partnerships with pharmacies to satisfy a growing number of consumers. In the current economic climate, these collaborations
can offer a new revenue stream and an expanded patient base. However, with these opportunities come responsibilities that must not be overlooked.