NPA IN FOCUS
NPA membership is more than a subscription – it’s an investment in your success! Make sure that you are maximising your NPA membership with the core services like training, advice and HR, health and safety support and many other benefits available to help your pharmacy grow, connect and save.
Insights at your fingertips Every month, members receive a Local Market Insights Report to their inbox. These reports provide a clear snapshot of your pharmacy’s performance across key metrics – from prescription item growth to GP practice engagement and service delivery. You will also see how you compare with local competitors and industry benchmarks, helping to identify strengths and areas for improvement. With actionable insights on dispensing trends and service claims, these reports make it easier to optimise operations, support patient care and stay competitive.
Access to Trusted Partners Running a successful pharmacy today means navigating an ever- growing list of responsibilities -
from staffing, finance and compliance to digital transformation, equipment, and utilities. That’s why the NPA has built a robust network of more than 50 carefully vetted Trusted Partners, each selected for their proven reliability, sector expertise and alignment with the needs of independent community pharmacies.
Through this exclusive member service, pharmacies gain access to reputable suppliers who understand the pressures and opportunities within the sector, offering innovation, new income streams and time- saving solutions that help businesses thrive. Every partner undergoes a rigorous application, review and due-diligence process, ensuring that NPA members can engage with confidence, knowing they are supported by organisations committed to quality, trust and the long-term success of community pharmacy.
The National Pharmacy Association has launched an exclusive digital offer with Charac, giving members a powerful opportunity to strengthen their online presence and unlock new
Anne McAllister Northern Ireland Representation Manager
revenue streams. Through this partnership, NPA pharmacies can access professionally built websites, hosting and Charac’s suite of digital tools - including repeat prescription ordering, consultation booking, scheduled repeats and integrated Royal Mail deliveries - with all packages free for the first three months for up to 200 members.
The initiative is designed to help pharmacies attract and retain patients, streamline admin and compete more effectively in an increasingly digital healthcare landscape. Whether a pharmacy is starting from scratch or looking to enhance an existing site, the Charac packages offer flexible, scalable support to boost engagement, improve operational efficiency and drive long-term business growth.
NPA Connects: Community- Powered Marketing Marketing can be time-consuming and costly – but with NPA Connects, members can save time, money and effort. By joining forces with other members, you benefit from greater purchasing power and reduced costs,
PHARMACEUTICAL SOCIETY NI'S NEW CODE
David McCann is a senior healthcare regulator and pharmacist with over a decade of leadership experience across UK NHS trusts and system regulation in Northern Ireland. Currently serving as Head of Regulatory Strategy at the Pharmaceutical Society NI, he leads on translating legislation and policy into practical, proportionate standards and guidance that protect the public and support professional practice.
As pharmacy evolves, so do the expectations placed on our profession. Northern Ireland’s pharmacists today work in more varied clinical settings, with greater responsibility and a sharper focus on person-centred care. It was against that backdrop that the Pharmaceutical Society NI launched its updated Code in January 2026 as the foundation for what patients, colleagues and communities should expect from the profession.
The 2016 Code provided a strong platform for safe, high-quality care –
built around clear principles – and served the profession well. But the landscape around us has shifted. Pharmacists now practise across integrated pathways, use digital systems that did not exist in 2016, and navigate increasingly complex clinical decisions. Patients, rightly, expect openness, compassion and clarity about the standards that guide pharmacists’ work.
The updated Code reflects this. It sets out seven standards designed to support professional judgement in modern practice, including: Provide Person Centred Care; Act with Professionalism and Integrity; Communicate Effectively; Collaborate with Colleagues; Raise Concerns; Commit to Development and Lead by Example. These standards are practical and accessible, rooted in the daily experience of pharmacists working here.
Extensive engagement shaped the revisions. Stakeholders asked for clearer wording, stronger definitions and standards that speak to the
breadth of current practice. They also highlighted the importance of supporting students and trainees as they transition into professional roles. We listened carefully, and the updated Code reflects this collective insight.
Across the seven standards, the themes are clear. Compassionate, person-centred care must be at the heart of everything pharmacists do. Professionalism now extends beyond the physical workplace, including responsible digital conduct and maintaining the trust placed in the profession. Communication should move from transactional to collaborative, enabling shared decisions and mutual understanding. Effective teamwork is essential in a healthcare system where care is increasingly delivered across organisational boundaries.
The updated Code also recognises that raising concerns is not optional, but a professional duty. When something goes wrong, openness, learning and safeguarding must guide pharmacists’ responses.
while gaining access to easy-to-use tools for: • Direct mail and social media campaigns • Door drops and digital advertising • In-store posters, banners and more.
It is a simple, effective way to raise awareness, attract new customers and strengthen your local presence.
Cashback Opportunities Membership does not just give you access to services – it also gives money back. Members can earn cashback in several ways, including: • Referring new members • Completing Level 3 Pharmacy Technician training
• Completing Level 2 courses.
WhatsApp Communities Please join our new WhatsApp community for members in NI. Check out recent SOP updates for Handling Complaints, Palliative Care and Living Well. In addition, the travel health, women’s health, winter health and cancer hubs have now been launched and can be accessed at NPA Clinical Resource Hubs.
David McCann
Continual development is also vital as roles expand and new clinical opportunities emerge. Leadership, in this Code, is about behaviour rather than hierarchy. Pharmacists lead through how they listen, support others and model professionalism.
The values that have always defined the profession remain. Putting patients first, respecting dignity, safeguarding confidentiality, and practising with competence and integrity still underpin every standard.
This is a modern, human Code. It supports pharmacists to exercise judgement with confidence, speak up early, learn continuously and deliver safe, compassionate care every day in every setting.
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