Alliance Boots’ Almus generics range is booming as it capitalises on patent expiries, the company says, so what are the wider implications for pharmacy?

As dispensed items in England pass one billion for the first time, how has the NHS drugs bill changed?

With an eye for technological innovation and a background in retail, Celesio UK MD Cormac Tobin sets out his vision for the Lloydspharmacy of the future

Category M Barometer April’s category M tariff brings with it a positive reimbursement adjustment, boosting the average pharmacy’s purchase profit by about £310 over the next three months

At the launch of the partnership between Alliance Boots and The Christie oncology hospital, C+D asks how the role of pharmacy in cancer care is changing.

Following the £4.27 billion merger between Boots and US healthcare giant Walgreens, and the announcement this week that the No.7 brand will be rolled out across the US, C+D reporter Emma Weinbren asks what will the ramifications will be for Boots.

After their merger last year, Boots and US giant Walgreens are looking to share ideas that will have ramifications across the entire UK pharmacy sector

With England the only home country charging for prescriptions, Chris Chapman looks at how the arguments for and against the cost stack up

As he assumes the role of superintendent pharmacist, Boots' Steve Banks offers a diplomatic verdict on the issues facing community pharmacy

Essex LPC chief Ash Pandya reveals how a local pharmacy-led scheme was named C+D Public Health Initiative of the Year 2012 for a range of cancer initiatives.

As pharmacy gears up for a turbulent year ahead, industry experts give their forecasts for the profession's 2013

Patent expiries continue to make an impact in the first tariff of 2013

The story The government's decision to scrap the 100-hour control of entry exemption didn't come as much of a shock; it took nine months to get from the initial consultation to the final...

The story 2012 proved to be the year of the patient group direction (PGD), kicking off in July with Asda's move to provide two salbutamol inhalers every eight weeks to customers without...

This C+D Innovation of the Year Award insight reveals how a focus on NHS savings and patient outcomes is key to getting a service commissioned

In this C+D Awards insight, find out how new business areas could reap rewards for your pharmacy – and win a C+D Award

The spotlight is on Newbury Pharmacy, which won at the C+D Awards 2012, see if you have what it takes to scoop Business Initiative of the Year 2013

Ahead of the oral evidence on barriers to working with GPs, APPG chair and Labour MP Kevin Barron pledges the parliamentary inquiry is only the first step

Business How do you survive a refit? Part four of our new series, sponsored by Anderson, offers guidance

PDA Awards Read how Whitworth Chemists in Blackpool renovated a former petrol station to scoop joint-first prize at the Platinum Design Awards

Technology special Tomorrow's pharmacy will be filled with technological marvels, but will also be familliar to pharmacies of today. Take a tour of what might be the shape of things to come

Business How do you get the most out of your refit? Part three of our new series, sponsored by Anderson, offers guidance

Business How do you choose a designer and shopfitter? Part two of our new series, sponsored by Willach, offers guidance

PDA 2012 Find out how Peter Buckley Pharmacy in Clitheroe scooped joint first place in C+D’s 2012 Platinum Design Awards

Careers Asda store manager Martyn Stainton tells C+D what it’s really like to be a non-pharmacist manager, and responds to the controversy over target pressures

From the latest funding arrangements to poor service delivery, C+D Senators debated all the issues set to impact on pharmacy business and its future viability

Senate Against a backdrop of a double whammy of funding cuts, C+D Senators were divided on the best route to financial salvation for the sector

Practice As the NMS reached its first birthday on October 1, pharmacists across England reveal the highs and lows of their experience of the service so far

Business The fourth quarter tariff will take £9,948 from your pharmacy's bottom line

PSNC's interim funding arrangements for 2012-13 haven't gone down well with many, and one pharmacist from south London explains why

Business How do you decide when your pharmacy needs a refit? Part one of our new series, sponsored by Willach, offers guidance

Slick design, detailed branding and a focus on services make the MedicX Pharmacy chain stand out from the crowd – and its Hemel Hempstead branch has won third place in C+D’s Platinum Design Awards, in association with Ceuta Healthcare

From knifepoint hold-ups to violent threats, three pharmacists share their experiences of being a victim of crime

Practice The vast majority of pharmacists feel under pressure to hit service targets, so what – or who – is to blame, and what can you do about it?

As control of entry changes come into effect in England on September 1, legal consultant Paul Burns answers some common questions

Consumer theft could be costing UK pharmacies £1.13 million a year – so what can you do to reduce your bill?

Crime investigation 2012 Total crime in pharmacies in the Metropolitan policing area fell slightly (1 per cent) from 1,712 incidents in 2010 to 1,692 in 2011. But robberies and burglaries bucked the trend, rising by almost 40 per cent.

Crime investigation 2012 Whether it’s shoplifting or assault, a crime in your store is a pharmacist's nightmare. Make sure you are prepared with this advice from the experts and those who’ve been there.

Crime investigation 2012 If you deem a situation or incident means it is unsafe for your pharmacy to remain open, Numark explains what to do.

Crime investigation 2012 Crime remained static overall in South Yorkshire pharmacies, with 2011 rates showing little change from 2010. But violent crime did show a slight increase, from 13 incidents to 15.

Crime investigation 2012 Police reported a total of 26 violent crimes in Humberside pharmacies last year – up 63 per cent from 16 in 2010.

Crime investigation 2012 Shoplifting from pharmacies rose by nearly 25 per cent in Hertfordshire between 2010 and 2011, despite shoplifting falling overall in the UK.

Crime investigation 2012 The overall number of crimes in Northern Ireland pharmacies fell 11 per cent from 479 in 2010 to 426 in 2011.

"Parents are keener than ever to self-select and therefore all GSL-licensed products should be merchandised on the GSL section to allow customers to browse," says Ms Charlesworth. She says...

Business A top tactic to promote the profession or a bargain that devalues the sector? After the launch of a prescription-free inhaler scheme, C+D presents the arguments for and against clinical services offered at a low price

As C+D’s decommissioning and quality investigation reveals yet more concerns about pharmacy-delivered health checks, James Bloodworth asks: what is holding the sector back?

Business The sector may have welcomed the long-awaited changes to control of entry in England, but can we be so sure that the outcomes will be positive?

The merging of two pharmacy giants made for some controversial headlines last month, writes Emma Weinbren, but what will the deal between Walgreens and Alliance Boots really mean for Boots pharmacies in the UK?

MedicX CEO Steve Jeffers talks through the expansion of the pharmacy chain and where he thinks the future of the sector is headed in this exclusive video interview with C+D's Emma Weinbren

Business The third quarter tariff change will take £9,291 from your pharmacy's bottom line

Business What is Walgreens? Will it own Boots? How will UK business be affected? C+D has the answers.

Business Europe is stepping up the fight against counterfeiters – so how will you and your business be affected?

Boots vs Walgreens: In figures Boots Employees 116,000 Pharmacies ...

Next week will see doctors take industrial action for the first time in almost 40 years – so how will your pharmacy practice be affected?

C+D news editor Zoe Smeaton put C+D readers’ questions to C+D Senator and PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe. Here’s how the interview unfolded in full

From contractor confidence to commissioning relationships, Zoe Smeaton puts readers’ questions to C+D Senator and PSNC chief executive Sue Sharpe

Ethical Dilemma You are the owner of a small independent pharmacy that has been broken into. The place is a mess and medicines have been stolen. What would you do?

The All-Party Pharmacy Group has published its report into stock shortages [May 15] and C+D reporter Melanie Hall went along to yesterday's press briefing to find out what happens next

As the sector battles Stormont in the courts over funding cuts, Emma Weinbren asks how long Northern Ireland can last with a £40 million pharmacy funding hole

Are you 110 per cent fed up with workplace catchphrases such as “proactive” and “action-focused”? Emma Weinbren looks at workplace clichés and how to tackle them

The pharmacy jobs market is in trouble, experts agree, but what's causing the over-supply of pharmacists, and is it such a bad thing? James Bloodworth reports

Anne Hutchings offers a guide to getting the most out of a discerning market

Ethical Dilemma After a night out with colleagues, inappropriate pictures and remarks have been posted on Facebook. What is your next step?

2012’s second tariff will take £2,250 from your bottom line, says Generic Eric

Download this letter template by the Independent Pharmacy Federation (IPF) to ask your MP to take action against the selling of UK medicines abroad.

England continues to buck the prescription charge trend with a fee rise of 25 pence next month. James Bloodworth asks whether cutting the charges is on the cards

Emma Weinbren finds out what’s keeping customers loyal to pharmacies

PCT Investigation 2011 Private pharmacy flu vaccinations are booming, so why are commissioners still unwilling to let the sector deliver the service for the NHS, asks James Bloodworth

Pharmacies are breaking through the language barrier where English is not their patients' first language

As a growing number of high-value branded medicines comes off patent, does the controversial clawback mechanism have a future?

Blogs Moving from a major multiple to an up-and-coming chain of independents has been an eye-opener but, Richard Stephenson writes, good retail practice is the same wherever you are

Awards Spotlight Gill Pharmacy's holistic approach to healthcare earned it a C+D Award

C+D Awards 2012 Bringing different providers together under your roof can really reap rewards, finds Isobel Smith

Awards Spotlight A close relationship with his GP surgery helped Sudhir Sehrawat scoop Community Pharmacist of the Year

C+D Awards 2012 A good relationship between pharmacists and doctors makes perfect sense, says James Bloodworth, and the mutual benefits should be plain to see

PCT Investigation 2011 Emma Wilkinson looks at the high and low spenders in chlamydia services

PCT Investigation 2011 Emma Wilkinson looks at the high and low spenders - and what pharmacists have to do for their money - in EHC provision

PCT Investigation 2011 Emma Wilkinson looks at the high and low spenders - and what pharmacists have to do for their money - in minor ailments services

PCT Investigation 2011 PCTs are shelling out more on pharmacy schemes – but is this news as positive as it sounds, asks Melanie Hall

As Pharmacy Voice unveils its action plan for the sector, CEO Rob Darracott tells Gary Paragpuri why it is fighting back against the status quo

With pharmacies being paid for just 43 per cent of new medicine service interventions in the first month, Melanie Hall examines what looks to have been a slow start for the service

Download this handy wallchart and keep it near your phone so you always have supply details at your fingertips

As Day Lewis completes its first return-to-practice course, James Bloodworth and Emma Weinbren find out what support is available for pharmacists looking to get back in the dispensary

Stock shortages As the APPG inquiry into medicines shortages kicks off, Zoe Smeaton asks if there really are any solutions to the problems that are plaguing the sector

Awards Spotlight Rakesh Patel shares the secrets of his management success

C+D Awards 2012 Emma Weinbren finds out how to make the grade as a manager

C+D Awards 2012 From training to time management, Isobel Smith shares advice

Awards Spotlight Susan Youssef shares her award-winning MUR secrets with Isobel Smith

Stock shortages When it comes to the causes of supply problems, both manufacturers and pharmacy are pointing the finger squarely at each other. James Bloodworth asks who, if anyone, is right

Get organised for the March 31 deadline with these top tips

Awards SpotlightEmma Weinbren finds out how transforming derelict premises into a state-of-the-art pharmacy won Peter Buckley the C+D Award for Pharmacy of the Year 2011

The key developments you need to be aware of – David Reissner explains

Generic Eric reveals how 2012’s first tariff will affect your pharmacy

"A complete shambles" Numark's Mimi Lau wasn't impressed by the government's Quit Kits smoking cessation scheme The year kicked off with controversy when RCGP chair Clare Gerada...

Catch up on all the key areas discussed at the LPC Conference in Manchester, from the contractual framework to prescription pricing, with this C+D video report

Practice From the predictable – script volumes still on the rise – to the surprising – enhanced services also on the up – the NHS’s latest figures for community pharmacy over the past decade offer a wealth of information and paint a fascinating picture of the ups and downs in the sector across England

For those patients reluctant to visit their dentist, significant product innovations and specialist care allow pharmacists to maximise their share of the £799m oralcare market, finds Kathy Oxtoby

Toothpaste is the largest and most frequently purchased subcategory within the total oralcare market – and is the only one showing year-on-year growth, according to data from Kantar Wordpanel (see Market Insight: oralcare).

More than 90 per cent of the British population buy some form of oralcare in the year, spending on average £18 each. Seventy per cent of sales come from the core subcategories of toothpastes and toothbrushes, while floss and dentures remain more specialist sectors with lower numbers of buyers.

Bonjela teething gel’s local anaesthetic action relieves pain and soothes sore gums, while its antiseptic action can help prevent minor mouth infections. The gel comes in a sugar-free and banana-flavour formulation. Contraindications: Not suitable for infants under two months.