2024 will go down as a year of extraordinary developments and surprises for both the pharmacy community and the entire UK.

Political winds shifted drastically, with the government’s change bringing forth new directions and policies. Against this background of national overhaul, pharmacists and dispensing doctors had just fastened their seatbelts for a rollercoaster ride.

With undulating drug tariffs and operational pressures, against all odds, pharmacists continued to provide excellent care to their patients.

In this article, we look back over some of the articles we explored over the past 12 months and explore some of what lies ahead for 2025.

Drug Tariff volatility and pricing challenges

2024 brought more Drug Tariff changes than in recent years, with noteworthy updates across both Category A and Category M. Category A began transitioning to a new price-setting process in April, set to be fully implemented by July 2025, read more here. Meanwhile, Category M experienced unusual mid-year adjustments, including clawbacks for a DHSC analytical error and the addition of Rivaroxaban following its generic launch. There was also a notable increase in products moving between categories to ensure accurate reimbursement pricing.

To help pharmacists stay on top of both Category M and Category A changes, we have expanded our monthly analyses which are available on the Partner Platform. These updates aim to provide clear summaries, enabling you to navigate pricing adjustments more confidently. For more details, visit our Category M page.

Adapting and thriving in challenging times

In May 2024, we met with Nick Kaye, current Chair of the National Pharmacy Association who shared his reflections on the present and future state of pharmacy, acknowledging ingenuity and persistence seen in pharmacists across the nation. As Nick put it, ‘Pharmacists have shown incredible adaptability, taking on new responsibilities and proving their indispensable role in healthcare delivery.’ His insights, published in this article, discussed the importance of adapting to ever-changing healthcare demands.

For this and further articles by Nick, please visit our ‘News’ section.

Following her participation in the ‘Generics, Branded Generics, and Biosimilars: NHS Update’ discussion with Life Sciences Access Academy, Clara Carter, Accord UK Country Manager, Generics, commented that community pharmacies have found themselves in a ‘perfect storm’. Clara observed, “Funding issues and shifting demands have stretched community pharmacies to their limits, yet they continue to deliver vital services to patients under immense pressure.”

Despite these obstacles, pharmacists have demonstrated their essential role in community health and their capacity to adapt under pressure. You can read Clara’s thoughts on the evolving challenges of the dispensing community here.

Looking ahead to 2025

As 2025 unfolds, several key developments promise to shape the future of pharmacy. Global medicine shortages remain a major concern, impacting patient care and increasing pressure on healthcare systems.

Factors like manufacturing disruptions, raw material shortages, and geopolitical instability all contribute to this ever-increasing global challenge. The Critical Medicines Act, an EU initiative addressing medicine shortages and strengthening supply chains, is set to be enacted later this year. Ian Weatherhead, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Accord Healthcare, stated, ‘By addressing supply vulnerabilities, the Critical Medicines Act could help to stabilise medicine availability in the UK pharmacy network, reducing the risk of shortages that directly impact patient care.’

While primarily an EU measure, the Act’s impact will extend to the UK, improving stability for pharmacies through better preparedness and collaboration across supply chains. The off-patent medicines sector, which plays an important role in ensuring access to essential medicines, will be instrumental in supporting these advancements.

Local legislation, such as the Windsor Framework, continues to evolve, influencing supply chains and regulatory alignment in Northern Ireland. As Jonathon Callaghan, Director, Supply Chain Commercial West at Accord, explains in our Q&A, these changes are critical to ensuring the uninterrupted availability of medicines.

The Pharmacy First initiative, which launched in early part of 2024, and which assists community pharmacies in managing minor ailments and reducing pressure on general practice services, will continue. Moreover, the Government has recently expressed commitment to ‘maximise’ the scope of Pharmacy First approaches for Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) services, which includes the provision of more nonsurgical, community-based ENT services, whereby pharmacists can manage conditions like ear infections and rhinitis as part of its elective care plan.

Conclusion

2024 was a year of unprecedented trials for healthcare professionals, but also highlighted their resilience, ingenuity, and unwavering commitment.

As we start a new chapter in 2025, our focus remains on helping healthcare professionals to continue providing exceptional care to their communities. Through shared knowledge and practical tools, the sector can navigate the road ahead with determination and confidence.

Accord Healthcare will continue to support you by providing resources and tools to help you focus on what matters most—your patients. If there’s something you think would help, we’d love to hear from you—please get in touch and let us know.

Date of prep: January 2025 Job bag number: UK-Gen-NP-01521