Pharmacists’ influence on patients’ everyday health decisions has almost doubled since last year, new research has found.
STADA’s Health Report 2026, which surveyed 2,001 UK adults, found that 63% of people are influenced by pharmacists when making decisions about their diet, lifestyle and exercise.
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This is up from 33.5% in 2025 and significantly above the European average of 57%.
Trust in pharmacists remained high at 68% for both years, the report said, with pharmacists ranking as the second most-trusted source of health information in the UK, behind GPs.
“A real opportunity”
STADA UK general manager Craig Shaw said that the data “underlines what pharmacists across the UK have known for some time: patients are increasingly looking to their local pharmacy not just for medicines, but for trusted advice that helps them make everyday health decisions.”
“People have always valued the expertise and the critical role pharmacy teams play in the local community, but now they’re acting on that trust more than ever,” he added.
“That presents a real opportunity for community pharmacy to play an even greater role in prevention, self-care and supporting healthier lifestyles.”
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STADA surveyed 20 European countries for the report and found that what respondents want most is for pharmacists to have the authority to issue repeat prescriptions for chronic conditions.
Respondents also want “24/7 opening hours with pharmacist consultation” - particularly in the UK, where 44% of people were in favour of this.
And the report concluded that “Europeans want pharmacies to do more, stay open longer and integrate digital tools – but they still want a pharmacist they can talk to”.
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It comes after a Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland survey found that some 73% of people would choose to visit a pharmacy instead of their GP.
And it follows C+D revealing a 2.3% increase in Pharmacy First referrals from GPs resulting in consultations last year.