EXCLUSIVE

The NPA will maintain its focus on independents despite the departure of chief executive Mike Holden last year, C+D has learned.

Mr Holden oversaw the organisation narrow its full membership exclusively to independent pharmacists in 2013, and NPA chair Ian Strachan said there would be “no change of direction” for the organisation despite Mr Holden stepping down in October.

The NPA’s focus on independents was part of Mr Holden’s “legacy”, Mr Strachan told C+D at the Sigma conference in India (February 18). Although there had been "financial risks" to the NPA's change in strategy, Mr Holden had "executed it very well", Mr Strachan said.

The NPA was conducting a “needs analysis” before it decided on a new chief executive, he revealed. 

Mr Strachan said the focus on independents had resulted in fewer members leaving, providing stability to the organisation. Around nine out of ten of the UK's independent pharmacies are NPA members and Mr Strachan said there was a business plan to increase this further.

Although multiples can no longer apply for membership, Mr Strachan said an increasing number were "coming back to us as customers” of the services the organisation offers. 

Mr Strachan added that NPA did not view the Independent Pharmacy Federation (IPF) as “competition” and instead made use of its “expertise”.

IPF chief executive Claire Ward told C+D that the NPA’s focus on independents was “the right direction of travel”. “I am very supportive of what they’re doing. We have worked with them successfully and we intend to continue to do so,” Ms Ward added.
 

 

What do you think about the NPA's focus on independents?

 

We want to hear your views, but please express them in the spirit of a constructive, professional debate. For more information about what this means, please click here to see our community principles and information