Community pharmacy is “in part underutilised” because access to healthcare “doesn’t seem to be talked about”, said John D’Arcy.

Speaking to C+D on July 18 – the day after he announced he would step down as managing director at the end of January 2018 – Mr D’Arcy said it was “crass” for government representatives to state there are “too many pharmacies”.

“There [is] not substance or metrics to these statements,” said Mr D’Arcy, who will remain as Numark chairman for “at least” two years.

“At a time when GPs seem to be leaving their profession in droves, and when access is really critical for healthcare, the government seems to be turning its back on that access.”

“It’s almost a disdain,” he added. “That’s what gets to pharmacists.”

Mix of commerciality and professionalism

Mr D’Arcy also said that “one thing that’s always attractive” about community pharmacy is “its mix of commerciality and professionalism”.

“I can see some of the sensitivities [around that], but as pharmacy operates as a business, it takes the risks.”

“One of the reasons [this] hasn’t been fully exploited is government departments don’t understand what pharmacy is and what it does,” he said.

“You get crass statements coming out of politicians, like: ‘You don’t need to worry about dispensing, you sell toothpaste’,” Mr D’Arcy added. “It’s just rubbish.”

Generic benefits

Pharmacy was also under-recognised for the “marvellous job” it has done to get the price of generics “right down”, he claimed.

“If the purchase and supply of medicines was state controlled, I don’t believe you would be getting the same value for it.”