What Pharmacy First Scotland Means for Pharmacy Owners

The Expansion of Pharmacy First Scotland: What It Means for Community Pharmacy Owners, Buyers and Investors

What is changing?

The continued expansion of NHS Pharmacy First Scotland is creating a compelling commercial opportunity for community pharmacy owners. With more than 1.9 million people (36% of the Scottish population) accessing the service over a 12-month period, demand is clearly shifting towards pharmacies as a first point of clinical contact.

The growth of Pharmacy First Plus, which enables qualified independent prescriber pharmacists to assess and prescribe for a wider range of conditions, further strengthens the role of community pharmacy in delivering frontline healthcare. For owners, this presents an opportunity not only to increase service income and consultation volumes, but also to build stronger patient relationships, drive repeat footfall and differentiate their businesses in an increasingly clinical marketplace.

From an investment perspective, pharmacies that have embraced enhanced service delivery and prescribing capability may be particularly well positioned to benefit from future NHS investment and growing patient demand.

New revenue opportunities for pharmacy owners

For community pharmacy owners, the expansion of Pharmacy First Scotland represents far more than a healthcare policy development. It is a shift in where patient demand is being directed. Utilisation is continuing to rise across all age groups and communities, demonstrating growing public confidence in accessing care through local pharmacies.

As the service evolves through initiatives such as Pharmacy First Plus, pharmacies with independent prescribing capability can take on a broader clinical role, creating additional service income streams while reducing reliance on traditional dispensing revenues. For owners, the opportunity lies not only in attracting more consultations, but in positioning their businesses as essential neighbourhood healthcare hubs, strengthening patient loyalty and enhancing the long-term value of the pharmacy as both a trading business and an investment asset.

Increased operational and workforce pressures

While Pharmacy First Scotland creates significant growth opportunities, it also brings operational challenges that pharmacy owners cannot afford to ignore. As patient demand continues to increase, with more than 740,000 people accessing the service in a single quarter by September 2024, community pharmacies are being asked to deliver a growing volume of clinical consultations alongside their traditional dispensing responsibilities.

The expansion of Pharmacy First Plus further raises the bar, increasing demand for pharmacists with independent prescribing qualifications and adding pressure to an already stretched workforce. For owners, the challenge will be balancing service delivery, staffing costs and patient expectations while maintaining operational efficiency.

Those able to invest in workforce development, skill-mix optimisation and technology-driven workflow improvements are likely to be best placed to turn these pressures into a competitive advantage rather than a constraint on growth.

CouldPharmacy First Scotland increase pharmacy values?

For pharmacy owners and prospective investors, one of the most intriguing questions is whether the continued expansion of Pharmacy First Scotland could translate into higher pharmacy valuations. While dispensing income has traditionally been a key driver of value, buyers are increasingly attracted to businesses that can demonstrate sustainable clinical service revenue, strong patient engagement and future growth potential.

As the sector evolves towards a more clinical model, pharmacies with established consultation services, independent prescribing capability and a track record of delivering enhanced NHS services may become particularly attractive acquisition targets. The ability to generate income from a broader range of healthcare services, rather than relying predominantly on dispensing activity, can enhance resilience and strengthen earnings visibility.

While valuation will always depend on factors such as profitability, location and operational performance, Pharmacy First Scotland has the potential to support a more positive long-term outlook for community pharmacy businesses.

Legal considerations

Pharmacy owners should ensure that their legal and regulatory frameworks evolve alongside their clinical service offering. A greater emphasis on consultations, prescribing and patient-facing healthcare inevitably increases the importance of robust governance, appropriate training, data protection compliance and clear clinical recordkeeping.

Owners considering growth, acquisition or succession planning should also be mindful of the contractual and regulatory implications of enhanced NHS service delivery. Prospective buyers will increasingly scrutinise workforce credentials, service performance, compliance records and prescribing capabilities as part of the due diligence process.

As community pharmacies become more integrated into the delivery of primary care services, demonstrating strong governance and regulatory compliance is likely to become not only a legal necessity but also a valuable commercial asset. For many pharmacy businesses, the pharmacies best positioned to benefit from Pharmacy First Scotland’s long-term opportunities will be those that can evidence both clinical excellence and regulatory resilience.

Actions pharmacy owners should consider now

For pharmacy owners, the expansion of Pharmacy First Scotland is not something to watch from the sidelines. It is a development that requires proactive planning. Owners should assess whether their business is equipped to meet the increasing expectation for community-based clinical care. This includes reviewing staffing structures, investing in workforce training, maximising the use of pharmacy technicians and support teams, and considering the strategic value of employing or developing pharmacist independent prescribers as services continue to evolve.

Equally important is taking a long-term view of the business. Owners should evaluate whether their premises, technology, governance systems and service delivery model are capable of supporting a more clinically focused future. Those considering a sale in the coming years may wish to strengthen their Pharmacy First activity and demonstrate a proven track record of enhanced service delivery, while prospective buyers should assess how effectively target pharmacies are positioned to benefit from the shift towards community-based healthcare.

The information and opinions contained in this blog are for information only.  They are not intended to constitute advice and should not be relied upon or considered as a replacement for advice.  Before acting on any information contained in this blog, please seek a solicitor’s advice from Gilson Gray.