Pharmacy News | July 2023

Modiplus • July 26, 2023

In our Summer 2023 newsletter, we report on important matters relating to the pharmacy sector

NHS is 75!

We celebrated the 75th birthday of the NHS on 5th July 2023, this milestone makes a perfect opportunity to recognise dedicated staff who make the NHS what it is today. Treating over a million people a day, the NHS touches all our lives. Community pharmacies are an integral part of the NHS, recognised for their hard work, dedication and making a key contribution most recently by administrating new record of 5 million flu jabs.  


Government investment for community pharmacy

The government has promised a £645m investment in community pharmacies over two years which will help community pharmacies. However, there are still questions that need answering and it is not clear if this is a one-off cash injection or new long-term commitment. This is a significant investment in community pharmacy set out to improve access to primary care. It is a step in the right direction for pharmacy however more investment is required to address the funding crisis, staff shortages and medicine supply issues.


Continuing corporate closures and disposals

After months of speculation, LloydsPharmacy permanently closed 237 of its stores in Sainsburys on 13 June 2023. Only a few weeks later, Boots made a shocking announcement that it is set to close 300 branches within the next 12 months. Several of the big pharmacy multiples such as Rowlands Pharmacy are also considering taking similar tough decisions of closure and/or disposal. These changes mean that pharmacies that are being off-loaded by the larger multiples are being acquired by medium, smaller and other independent groups, including many of the first-time buyers and investors, which is a positive for community pharmacy.   


New NHS Pharmaceutical and Local Pharmaceutical Services (PLPS) Regulations

With new regulations, 100-hour pharmacies can opt to reduce their core contractual hours from 100 to 72. Some of our clients have already taken advantage of this and submitted application to reduce the hours. With reduced opening hours, the overheads such as staffing costs will be lower, and in return the profits will be higher. Therefore, if you are looking to dispose a 100-hour pharmacy, a higher price can potentially be achieved. 


Pharmacy locum rates

On another note, the locum rates have increased to record highs for the second year in a row according to the C+D salary survey. The average locum rate has risen by a fifth to nearly £39 per hour, the main factor being shortage of pharmacists, the cost-of-living crisis and inflation. The recent Lloyds Bank webinar suggested that locum costs could potentially go down in the coming months following the large corporate disposals.


Interest rate woes

Banks are still keen to lend money to support acquisitions of pharmacies, however, with current interest rates of 5% which will likely increase to 5.5% in early August (Bank of England), makes it very difficult for first-time buyers to enter the market. In our most recent transactions, we have seen banks requesting additional security and increased deposit from 20% to 30%. First-time buyers are having to borrow additional funds from family and friends or going into partnerships to secure the deal.


Preparing your pharmacy for a sale

There will always be a market for good pharmacies that come up for sale. So, what should you do to make your pharmacy attractive to a potential buyer and get the best price possible?

  • Signage – ensure there is a proper signage to the pharmacy. We visit pharmacies regularly and note that many do not have a proper sign to direct patients into the pharmacy. You want to aim for a higher football and therefore business.
  • Shop window – an attractive shop window will always attract customers. Ensure that your windows are cleaned on regular basis and display offers / promotions to boost sales.
  • Pharmacy shop floor – your pharmacy layout plays a significant role in patient perception which will have a positive impact on sales. Ensure it flows and is free of clutter and boxes. A clinical feel and look of the pharmacy inspire confidence in the patients.  
  • Online presence – having a good website will attract new customers. From our experience when we get instructed to sell the pharmacy, usually there is no or very limited online presence. Potential new customers do tend to check the website and read reviews prior to their visit so having a good professional looking website is important.  
  • Competition – be mindful of your competition and what are they offering. This is very useful information to attract more customers and offer better products at competitive prices. You can also monitor your competitors and how they are preforming by subscribing to PharmData for a small monthly fee of £3.59.


It is not only the aesthetics of the business but also financials; you should also engage a pharmacy specialist accountant at least few years prior to selling to get your financials in order which will also help maximise the goodwill of your pharmacy.

 

Other news

We will be at The Pharmacy Show at NEC Birmingham on 15 and 16 October 2023. If you are thinking of selling or buying a pharmacy, or looking for specialist pharmacy accountancy and tax advice, our team will be happy to discuss options with you at stand number N20 located next to the business theatre.


Last month we participated with our associated company Silver Levene LLP in the annual 10km London Legal Walk. We thank you for all your donations to support such a good cause and we were pleased to have been featured in The Law Society Gazette who announced this year’s charity walk as biggest ever with a record 16,000 participants raising a total of £910,000.

 

Thinking of selling or buying?

If you would like a free valuation or talk about how you could achieve a fantastic price for your pharmacy, please do contact us our direct dial numbers on 020 7380 3446 or 020 7380 3424 and ask for Sanja or Diana in the first instance. We would welcome the opportunity to have a chat with you.


Alternatively, if you would like to buy a pharmacy, need accounting, or tax advice through our associated company Silver Levene LLP, please also contact us on the same numbers. Your query will be directed to the right person.


Silver Levene LLP offers fixed price packages for accounting and tax services as well as  valuations, cashflow and profit forecasts, raising loan finance, due diligence, accountancy work for asset and company sale transactions. Contact us for more details.


We trust you will all have a good Summer and look forward to hearing from you. 


This article is based on current legislation and practice and is for guidance only. Specific professional advice should be taken before acting on matters mentioned here. Should you require any advice please do not hesitate to contact us.

By Sanja Milosevic July 31, 2025
We trust you are enjoying the warm weather as we welcome you to our Summer Newsletter! Pharmacy market and selling activity The trend in the pharmacy sales market shows a continued activity with a mix of buyers and sellers, including large multiples and independent owners. We have seen large multiples disposing branches and there’s also a rise in first time buyers and small and mid-sized groups acquiring. Pharmacy contract and increase in funding The March 2025 funding deal looks promising and much needed boost for community pharmacies and a step in right direction compared to previous years. The Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) budget is to £3.073 billion for the 2025 / 2026 financial year, which will provide an uplift of over 30% compared to previous year. Additionally, an extra £215 million will be directed towards expanding existing Pharmacy First and other services. (Source: Community Pharmacy England) Outlook for pharmacies · Uncertainty in the budget – the upcoming autumn budget is expected to influence future activity in the pharmacy sales market. · Integration of technology and AI – technology, including AI and automation is playing a larger role in pharmacy operations and customer experience. · Growing role of pharmacies – pharmacies are taking on a larger role which may lead to further changes in the market. Factors influencing the sales market · Government policies – government regulations, particularly around funding and potential changes to CGT rules, can impact buying and selling decisions. · Economic growth and healthcare spending – increasing healthcare spending and an aging population are driving demand for pharmacy services. · Online pharmacy growth – the online pharmacy market is expanding, with companies like Pharmacy2U and others gaining market share. · Competition from online pharmacies – online pharmacies are becoming more popular, which may affect the traditional pharmacy model. Simplifying the sale of pharmacy and our checklist for a successful sale Selling a pharmacy can be daunting due to regulatory, financial and operational factors, but with the right strategy, we can help you streamline the process and avoid common pitfalls. Here is our recommendation for a smoother sale: - 1. Prepare early and get organised – collate key documents for the sale such as accounts, FP34s, VAT, returns, lease agreements, staff contract and compliance certificates. 2. Valuation – use pharmacy specialist agents to assess the value of your pharmacy based on profit multiples, dispensing volume etc (EBITDA workings). 3. Decide on the sale type – asset sale or company share sale where your accountant will be best to guide you. 4. Choose the right advisors – Broker helps you market the pharmacy and find a buyer. Please consider appointing a pharmacy specialist accountant and solicitor who have expertise to guide you through the whole sale process to completion. 5. Marketing the pharmacy – appoint a pharmacy specific broker such as Modiplus who will market your pharmacy in confidence and discreet. All buyers are vetted for funding and sign our confidentiality agreement allowing them to share sales information only with the bank, their accountant and solicitor. 6. Due diligence – you will be asked to use digital data rooms to share financials, FP34s, supplier contracts etc. Be transparent to disclose everything upfront to avoid delays or warranty claims. 7. Handle property efficiently – if leased, ensure that there’s at least 10 years left or obtain an extension. If freehold owned, prepare to sale the freehold or grant a new lease to the buyer. Please ensure lease terms meet buyer’s lender requirements. 8. Navigate NHS and GPhC requirements – For an asset sale, buyer must apply for transfer of NHS contract which usually takes between 2 to 4 months. For a share sale, no NHS approval is needed, however, notify NHS and GPhC of director / superintendent changes within 30 days. 9. Completion and handover – sign a Sale Purchase Agreement (SPA) or an Asset Purchase Agreement (APA), and hand over to the buyer. Other exciting news As we continue to grow, we are pleased to announce that our associated company Silver Levene was acquired by Xeinadin Group , a top 20 accountancy and business advisory firm in the UK. We highly recommend their pharmacy team of accountants with over 35 years of experience providing specialist accounting, tax and other advisory services to community pharmacies and pharmacists. For more information, please contact the pharmacy partners Mr Vinku Shah or Mr Shivam Modi on 020 7383 3200. Looking further ahead, we will be at The Pharmacy Show at NEC Birmingham on 12 and 13 October 2025 . If you are thinking of selling or buying a pharmacy, or looking for specialist pharmacy accountancy and tax advice, our team will be happy to discuss options with you at stand number M20 located next to the business theatre. Last month we participated with our associated company Silver Levene – A Xeinadin Company in the annual 10km London Legal Walk. The charity raised c£1m to support communities’ most vulnerable people and we thank you for your continued donations to support such a good cause. Legal and financial advisors Please engage a pharmacy specialist legal and financial advisor who will guide you through the process and assist you with any complex issues such as tax, legal contracts, etc. If you would like to sell/buy a pharmacy, need accounting or tax advice through our associated company Silver Levene – A Xeinadin Company, please contact us on 020 7383 3200. We have been providing specialist accounting and tax advisory services to community pharmacy for over 35 years. Your query will be directed to the right person. Silver Levene - A Xeinadin Company offers fixed price packages for accounting and tax services as well as valuations, cashflow and profit forecasts, raising loan finance, due diligence and accountancy work for asset and company sale transactions. Thinking of selling or buying? If you would like a free valuation or to talk about how you could achieve a fantastic price for your pharmacy, please do contact us on our direct dial number 020 7380 3446 and ask for Sanja . We would welcome the opportunity to have a chat with you. We look forward to hearing from you. This article is based on current legislation and practice and is for guidance only. Specific professional advice should be taken before acting on matters mentioned here.
By Modiplus February 26, 2025
Welcome to our Winter Newsletter! Pharmacy market trend and buyers’ appetite If you are thinking of selling your pharmacy, there is still a demand for pharmacies across the country as the market remains buoyant. The pharmacy market has seen an increase in the number of pharmacies entering the market and completed sales. This is driven by economic pressures, fiscal policies, lack of funding, and exit of larger multiples from the market, such as Lloyds Pharmacy and Boots, which has led to the rise of independents and consolidations. The appetite remains strong from the first-time buyers, with independent and smaller chains the most active in the pharmacy acquisitions. Valuation calculations We have also seen the valuation of pharmacies improving, and on average we are achieving a goodwill price of 85p to 90p in £1 of turnover for standard hour contracts. Demand for pharmacies with a turnover of more than £750k to £1.5m with healthy profits is particularly attractive for the first-time acquisitions or an existing independent operator looking to expand. Below is a range of estimated valuations, if you are looking to sell: -
By Modiplus August 29, 2024
Welcome to our Summer Newsletter and we trust that you are enjoying the late summer weather! This summer has been extraordinary so far, full of sporting events such as football, tennis, cricket and the Olympic games! We have been very busy in the last quarter, whereby we have seen the first-time buyer appetite remain strong. Similarly, we have seen an increase in the number of sales enquiries of smaller pharmacies while others are holding off awaiting the outcome of the new funding and success of Pharmacy First scheme. On average we are achieving goodwill price of between 85p to 90p in £1 of turnover at present. The average profit margin has shown an improvement to 32% despite medicine shortages. Data from Pharmacy First (NHSBSA) The launch of the Pharmacy First has gone off with a positive start, it has been very encouraging to see so many patients benefiting from this scheme, and your exceptional efforts in delivering these services have been commendable. However, we note that monthly payments are still critical, and concur that it is completely unreasonable for pharmacy to be penalised financially for the NHS’ failure to drive public and GP referrals. The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) has released figures for the Pharmacy First Service covering the period of February to April 2024 as follows: -