Independent community pharmacies are set to benefit from a new hub and spoke dispensing proposition as Adhera Dispensing and PHOENIX announce the launch of a service designed exclusively for Numark members.
The new model combines Adhera’s dispensing technology with PHOENIX’s operational expertise and medicines supply network, helping independent pharmacies free up capacity, reduce stock holding and create more time for patient care and the delivery of clinical services.
The service is now live, with an initial rollout through PHOENIX’s Wakefield operation to deliver a reliable day one for day two service for Numark members.
At a time when community pharmacies face rising operating costs, workforce pressures and increasing demand for clinical services, the proposition has been developed to help independent pharmacies realise efficiencies previously available primarily to larger pharmacy groups.
Importantly, the clinical check remains within the spoke pharmacy and the prescription itself never leaves the pharmacy. Following the clinical check, only the assembly data is securely shared through Adhera Dispensing platform. Medicines are picked from PHOENIX’s extensive stockholding in Wakefield and delivered to Adhera Dispensing’s purpose built, GPhC registered premises, located within the Wakefield depot. There, prescriptions are assembled, labelled and sealed before being returned to the spoke pharmacy through PHOENIX’s standard delivery network, ready for supply to the patient.
The pharmacist remains at the centre of the patient relationship, with patient nomination unchanged.
The proposition offers a number of benefits to participating pharmacies, including:
- More time for pharmacists and pharmacy teams to focus on patients and clinical services
- Reduced dispensing workload
- Reduced stock holding and associated costs
- Access to one of the UK’s largest medicines inventories, helping maximise bag fill and availability
- Greater efficiency and productivity to help offset rising operating costs
- Dedicated implementation support and on-site training
- Service guarantees designed to give members confidence in the model.
Recognising the importance of dependable supply to local pharmacies and their patients, PHOENIX is backing the proposition with a delivery guarantee. Should agreed service levels not be met, members will not pay the item fee.
Amar Randhawa, Director, Adhera Dispensing, said:
“Community pharmacy is evolving rapidly, and independent pharmacies deserve access to the same innovations and efficiencies that have supported larger organisations for many years. By combining technology with trusted operational expertise, we’re providing a practical solution that helps pharmacies release capacity while maintaining the relationships and standards of care their patients value.”
Rhys Martin, Head of Membership Proposition added:
“Large pharmacy groups have benefited from hub and spoke dispensing for many years, using it to release capacity, improve efficiency and help offset rising operating costs.
“For too long, many independent pharmacies have been unable to access those same advantages. That’s why it’s so exciting to bring this proposition to our Numark membership.
“By working with Adhera Dispensing and leveraging PHOENIX’s scale and operational expertise, we’re helping independent pharmacies free up valuable time to focus on what matters most, caring for patients, delivering clinical services and realising the full potential of community pharmacy.
“Importantly, the clinical check remains within the pharmacy, the prescription never leaves the spoke, and the trusted relationship between pharmacist and patient remains unchanged.
“We’re already seeing the service support its first customers and look forward to helping more members benefit from a model designed specifically to meet the challenges and opportunities facing community pharmacy today.”
How the service works
- 1. The pharmacy receives the patient’s prescription.
- 2. The clinical check is completed by the spoke pharmacy.
- 3. Assembly data is securely shared via Adhera Dispensing’s software platform.
- 4. Medicines are picked from PHOENIX’s Wakefield stockholding.
- 5. Prescriptions are assembled, labelled and sealed in the Adhera Dispensing facility.
- 6. Completed prescriptions are returned to the pharmacy in the normal PHOENIX delivery for supply to the patient.