Is pharmacy still a sustainable business in 2025? What does the new NHS contract mean for independent contractors, and how can we survive, adapt, and thrive?

In this powerful guest episode of Behind the Counter: Pharmacy and Beyond, host Solomon Abuede is joined by Ashley Cohen, a seasoned pharmacy contractor and board member of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and Chair of Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire (CPWY). Together, they unpack the real impact of the new contract, what independent pharmacies must do to stay competitive, and the evolving role of pharmacies in UK healthcare.

Expect honest conversation, hard-won lessons, and practical insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

In this episode:

• Ashley’s journey as a multi-branch pharmacy owner
• What the new NHS contract means for independents
• How to future-proof your pharmacy business
• The growing importance of clinical services & prescribing
• Advice for new and seasoned contractors alike

This episode is a must-listen for pharmacy professionals, owners, and anyone curious about the future of the sector.

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In Part 2 of our deep dive into The Pharmacy Numbers Game, we go beyond the NHS contract and get real about what’s actually draining your pharmacy’s profit, and how to stop it.

This episode covers the full breakdown of the silent margin killers hiding in plain sight, from unpaid deliveries to the hidden cost of NOMAD trays, under-claimed services, and rising staff costs.

Pharmacy isn’t broken, but you need to play smart. In this raw and practical episode, I share personal insights, practical fixes, and lessons learned after 14 years of pharmacy ownership.

If you’re tired of working harder and earning less… this one is for you.

🎧 Hit follow, subscribe, and share, and if you haven’t heard Part 1, go back and listen now!

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I working so hard and still not seeing the money?” — this episode is for you.

In Part 1 of The Pharmacy Numbers Game, I pull back the curtain on the financial realities of being a pharmacy contractor in the UK. From Category M and clawbacks to the Drug Tariff and PPD statements, you’ll learn why understanding your numbers isn’t just helpful — it’s survival.

Using real stories, including lessons, I explain how the NHS contract works (and why it’s often misunderstood), why Average Item Value is a trap, and how to avoid building your business on false forecasts.

This is the episode I wish someone had given me in year one. If you’re serious about building a profitable pharmacy, press play — and get ready to see your business through a new lens.

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