December to see last print issue of C+D
December 17 will mark the last print issue of C+D, as the title focuses on expanding its website and introducing a new version of its e-reader app.
Chemistanddruggist.co.uk – which is currently undergoing its biggest overhaul in a decade – hosts the largest and most engaged community pharmacy audience in the UK. In July, almost 57,000 “unique visitors” landed on the site – a record-breaking figure for the title.
C+D is also rolling out a new version of its popular free app, so that pharmacists and their staff who are used to reading the magazine can access the latest news and articles on their phone or tablet – even when they do not have internet access.
Commenting on the announcement, C+D editor James Waldron said the decision to stop producing a print version of the magazine and focus on publishing through its website has “not been an easy one”.
But he stressed that C+D “remains committed to our motto to inform, champion and support community pharmacy… whether that’s campaigning to protect essential small pharmacies, revealing falling locum rates or securing a £2,000 tax break for contractors”.
“I want to reassure you that the website will remain home to all of your favourite C+D articles, whether that’s the latest industry news, in-depth features, bite-size CPD modules, irreverent views from Xrayser, or write-ups from the C+D Awards (celebrating their tenth birthday next year),” he told readers.
“Focusing our resources online also means we can build on our experiments in offering the award-winning content you love in new and engaging ways: from the C+D Salary Survey and video interviews to podcasts and reporting live from fitness-to-practise events,” Mr Waldron said.
“As part of this, we are delighted to be bringing back the immensely popular Pharmacy 50 campaign next year – giving you the chance to again decide the most influential people across community pharmacy,” he said.
Mr Waldron added that “ultimately, what has made C+D a success for 157 years is you, the readers”. He invited all pharmacists and their staff to “share their thoughts about how we could improve our online offering even further” beneath this article.
Read the full letter from Mr Waldron here. A copy is also being published in this week’s magazine.
This week’s editor’s comment, which also discusses C+D’s digital focus, can be read here.
How could C+D improve its website further?