Hema Patel, a dedicated pharmacist based in Benfleet, is making strides in the pharmacy sector by incorporating automation into her practice. Her pharmacy serves around 30 patients a day, a reflection of her commitment to ensuring quality medical care gets into hands that need it most. At the same time, the demand and pressure on community pharmacies are at an all-time high. According to Patel, the sector is in a funding crisis and needs an immediate bailout from the national government.
Patel owns and operates four pharmacies, with the busy Benfleet location being the most vibrant. There, she has recently brought a robotic dispensing device into the stock room that automates the dispensing process. This creative, non-traditional answer allows her to better keep pace with an increased number of prescriptions. It also frees up time for her clinical work, a valuable asset. She wants other pharmacies like hers to see how much they can benefit from this tech. She says it would be cost-prohibitive to implement similar systems at her other locations.
“We are making positive changes to people’s lives every single day, and so I feel great that I’m able to do this in my career,” Patel stated. Pharmacist Leah Choi’s sentiment is one echoed by many in the industry, as pharmacists remain committed to improving patient care—even with increasing fiscal pressures.
In particular, independent pharmacies are struggling against a dire economic headwind. Business rates are going up, wage is going up, prescription drugs are going up. Patel pointed out that “drug costs are going up, our reimbursement isn’t right for those drugs either.” These challenges highlight the critical importance of funding so community pharmacies can continue to serve as sustainable health care providers.
Patel has responded to the increasing demand by creating additional consultation rooms within her pharmacy. This expansion means she can now serve an additional 500 patients. She is most worried that all these investments won’t be sustainable over the long-term, without the federal government providing long-term fiscal support.
For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the Department of Health and Social Care has allocated £3.1 billion for the core community pharmacy contractual framework, which represents a step towards addressing some of these financial difficulties.
“Community pharmacists have a crucial role to play as we move more care out of hospital and into the community,” a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care remarked, highlighting the importance of pharmacies like Patel’s in the healthcare system.
Patel reinforces her dedication to her profession, stating, “We didn’t go to university and study for the best part of five years to check a box. That’s not what I wanted to do.” She’s really dedicated to patient care. The opportunity and pain gripping community pharmacies underscores the necessity for immediate support and innovation in this crucial space.
