Neil Scobie, head of Alphega Member Offer and Engagement, speaks with Independent Community Pharmacy

Independents should look at what they are doing well, what they shouldn’t be doing, what opportunities they have missed and new ideas they can incorporate into their business, says Neil Scobie.

Strategic mentorship has moved from being a ‘nice to have’ to an essential component of profitable and sustainable pharmacy performance. Alphega business mentors play a critical role in helping pharmacy owners navigate this complexity.

Their support begins with a structured review of pharmacy performance, enabling owners to step back from day-to-day firefighting and take a strategic view of their business.

These reviews provide an objective assessment of what is working well and where improvements are needed, creating a foundation for informed decision-making.

A key element of this is a SWOT analysis. By examining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, mentors help members translate performance insights into practical goals for the year ahead.

Deliver the greatest impact for patients

This approach ensures that planning is grounded in reality rather than aspiration alone. It also helps pharmacy owners prioritise their efforts, focusing on areas that will deliver the greatest impact for patients, teams and business sustainability.

However, strategy is only as effective as the people delivering it. Workforce challenges remain one of the most significant barriers to pharmacy progress and many owners struggle to assess whether their staffing model is truly fit for purpose.

Alphega’s business mentors can help members to address this through the Alphega staff profiling tool, which provides a clear view of staffing levels and skill mix. This enables pharmacy owners to understand whether they have the right number of people, with the right capabilities, to deliver their ambitions.

Importantly, this is not simply about reducing costs. It is about aligning roles, responsibilities and skills to the services a pharmacy wants to provide.

A business aiming to expand clinical services, for example, requires a different staffing profile to one focused primarily on dispensing efficiency. By using data rather than instinct, mentors help owners make confident, evidence-based workforce decisions.

Efficiency is another area where targeted mentorship can deliver meaningful gains. The business mentors are well placed to advise on operational improvements, including pharmacy layout, workflow and the distribution of tasks within the team.

In collaboration with the central team, they can identify changes that improve productivity, enhance patient experience and reduce unnecessary pressure on pharmacists and staff.

Digital tools also play an increasingly important role in driving efficiency and compliance. Mentors can guide members on the effective use of Alphega’s digital solutions, such as SOP Manager, MHRA Manager and Team Manager. When used properly, these tools support consistent standards, simplify governance and free up valuable time for patient-facing activity.

Beyond internal systems, Alphega members also benefit from access to a range of externally provided solutions at preferential rates. These include online controlled drug registers, NHS prescription ordering apps and 24-hour prescription collection points.

Mentors help pharmacies understand which of these solutions are appropriate for their specific circumstances, ensuring technology is adopted strategically rather than reactively.

Ultimately, the value of the mentors lies in their ability to connect insight with action. By combining performance review, strategic planning, workforce analysis and operational efficiency, they help pharmacy owners move from surviving to thriving.

Neil Scobie is head of Alphega Member Offer and Engagement.

Source: Independent Community Pharmacist, Magazine (February 2026) and online : Business spotlight: Assess your performance

Class 2 recall-Ramipril 5mg Caps

Crescent Pharma Limited is recalling one batch of Ramipril 5 mg Capsules as a precautionary measure due to a potential error at the manufacturing site.

MHRA drug alert link:https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-crescent-pharma-limited-ramipril-5mg-capsules-el-26-a-slash-11?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=1bd23fb1-0c16-4faf-ab1c-f2a95439fefb&utm_content=immediately

MHRA drug alert date:06/03/26

Further Information

For all medical information enquiries and information, please email medinfo@crescentpharma.com, for reporting of side effects email safety@crescentpharma.com or telephone +44 1217901596 and for stock control enquiries please email complaints@crescentpharma.com

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 3 months of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

Easter 2026 bank holiday opening hours

To help keep our customers informed of changes to our service, we have published our August 2025 bank holiday opening hours for pharmacy and retail customers:

Easter 2026 bank holiday opening hours

Easter 2026 bank holiday opening hours (for Channel Islands and Isle of Man)

Alliance Healthcare UK to enter into a new reduced wholesale agreement with Dansac and Hollister: 01 March 2026

We are pleased to announce that, as of 01 March 2026, Cencora Alliance Healthcare UK, including NWOS, will become the only wholesalers to supply selected products of Dansac and Hollister’s portfolio to all pharmacies in Great Britain.

Click here for full product details.

Class 4 caution in use-DROPODEX EYE DROPS 0.1%

Rayner Pharmaceuticals limited have informed the MHRA that the batches listed in this notification do not include the concentration of phosphates in the product information.

MHRA drug alert Date: 24/2/26

MHRA drug alert link: https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-4-medicines-defect-notification-rayner-pharmaceuticals-limited-dropodex-0-dot-1-percent-w-slash-v-eye-drops-solution-el-26-a-slash-10?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=eb00b060-2e05-4c84-b34c-0a9b0873151f&utm_content=immediately

This is a caution in use only we are not accepting stock returns

Further Information

For all medical information enquiries and information on this product, please email: medinfo.Rayner@apcerls.com, or telephone +44-800-041-8153

For stock control enquiries please email markclayton@rayner.com, or telephone 01903 258777.

Class 2 recall-KidNaps (Melatonin) 1mg in 1ml Oral Solution

Sterling Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Veriton Pharma Ltd are recalling all batches of KidNaps (Melatonin) 1mg in 1ml Oral Solution due to out of specification stability results.  

MHRA drug alert link:https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-2-medicines-recall-sterling-pharmaceuticals-ltd-specials-manufacturer-ms-32515-kidnaps-melatonin-1mg-in-1ml-oral-solution-el-26-a-slash-09

MHRA drug alert date:24/02/26

Further Information

For medical information enquiries on this product, email centralmedicalinformation@veritonpharma.com or telephone +44 (0)1932 690325. 

For stock control enquiries, email orders@veritonpharma.com or telephone +44 (0)1932 690325.

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 3 months of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

Tonia Antoniazzi MP visited Cencora’s Swansea service centre

On Wednesday 18 February, 2026, Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Swansea, visited the Cencora Alliance Healthcare Swansea Service Centre, accompanied by team members: Chris Martin, Non-Executive Advisor, Paul Davies, Warehouse Ops Manager, and Carl Evans, Loss Prevention Manager. She gained insight into the vital role we play in the UK’s pharmaceutical supply chain and had an up-close look at our colleagues in action.

During the visit, Tonia also took part in in-depth discussions with the team, highlighting our essential function in ensuring that pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers across the country receive the medicines and healthcare products they need efficiently and reliably.

Tonia also had the opportunity to meet employees across the site, learning firsthand about the dedication and care involved in day-to-day operations. As demand for healthcare services continues to grow, ensuring these systems remain efficient is more important than ever and is at the heart of what we do. Tonia’s visit and her conversations with the team demonstrate her commitment to understanding the challenges and advancements within this essential sector and we are looking forward to continuing to work with her.

Thank you to all that made the visit a success.

Class 3 recall-MOVICOL Ease Citrus Powder for oral solution

Norgine Limited is recalling one batch of product as a precautionary measure due to some units containing low amounts of active ingredients.

MHRA drug alert link:https://www.gov.uk/drug-device-alerts/class-3-medicines-recall-norgine-limited-movicol-ease-citrus-powder-for-oral-solution-13-dot-7-g-el-26-a-slash-08?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-topic&utm_source=3b17a3ae-dec1-45f7-a6cf-bc6e69fd59c2&utm_content=immediately

MHRA drug alert date:17/02/26

Further Information

For all medical information enquiries and information on this product, please email MedInfo@norgine.com, or  telephone +44 1895 826606.

For stock control enquiries please email UKIsupport@norgine.com, or telephone +44 (0) 1895 826 600.

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 3 months of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

Company led recall - Nutricia Multiple Products

COMPANY LED RECALL

We have received a Recall from Danone

on Various products

Reason: Danone is recalling specific batches of Aptamil / Cow & Gate infant milk due to the possible presence of cereulide (toxin).

Please can you ensure that your stores quarantine the product listed below.

Further Information

https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-05-2026

Please return all affected stock to your original supplier for credit. Unfortunately, we can only accept stock purchased from us (Alliance Healthcare Distribution Limited). Any other stock will be returned to your stores/Pharmacies.

Please note that anything not returned to us, or notified to us, within 3 months of this notification, cannot be reimbursed by way of a credit.

Pharmacist Support launches 2026 Student Bursary Scheme with continued support from Alliance Healthcare

Pharmacist Support, the profession’s independent charity dedicated to championing the wellbeing of pharmacy students, trainees and pharmacists, is proud to announce the launch of its 2026 Student Bursary Scheme, supported by Cencora Alliance Healthcare.

Now in the third year of this valued partnership, Cencora Alliance Healthcare’s continued support ensures that pharmacy students facing unexpected challenges during their MPharm that have impacted them financially can access vital financial help at a critical point in their studies.

The Student Bursary Scheme will open to applications on 2 February 2026 and close on 20 April 2026. It offers awards of £3,000 or £5,000 to MPharm students entering their final year in September 2026 who have experienced an unexpected challenge that has had both a personal and financial impact since starting their degree.

A scheme with lasting impact

For more than a decade, the Student Bursary Scheme has quietly but powerfully changed lives. Since the scheme began in 2014, and up to 2025, 103 bursaries have been awarded, totalling £332,000, helping students stay on their courses, complete their degrees, and move forward into the profession.

Demand for support continues to grow. In the most recent scheme year, all 28 fully accredited pharmacy schools in GB agreed to take part, with 88 applications received from students across 24 universities—a clear reflection of both the need for, and trust in, the scheme.

Behind every application is a student with a story. One of those students, Sofia*, shared how the bursary became a turning point during an incredibly difficult time in her life:

“I was facing a set of circumstances that would have been impossible to overcome without financial assistance. I am a single mother of 2 babies and I lived on one side of this country and my university was on the other side. I had just gotten divorced and following that, I became homeless and was really struggling financially and even emotionally. I had no idea how I was going to make it work financially. This bursary has relieved so much of the burden that I was carrying alone on my shoulders. I don't know how I would have been able to finish my degree without the bursary and therefore I was facing the very real and heartbreaking possibility of being left without the qualifications I needed to become a pharmacist. As far as the impact it has had, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that this bursary has altered the trajectory of my future and of course the futures of my 2 toddlers. They will get to see their mother graduate this summer thanks to this bursary. Isn’t that amazing?”

A partnership built on shared values

Pharmacist Support and Cencora Alliance Healthcare share a commitment to supporting the next generation of pharmacy professionals, not just academically, but as people navigating real-life challenges.

Danielle Hunt, Chief Executive of Pharmacist Support, said:

“Students are the future of our profession, and too many face unexpected hardship that puts their studies, wellbeing, and confidence at risk. This bursary scheme is about more than financial support—it’s about belief, reassurance, and helping students stay the course. We are incredibly grateful to Cencora Alliance Healthcare for standing alongside us for a third year and helping us make this life-changing support possible.”

Marie Evans, Managing Director of Cencora Alliance Healthcare UK, said:

“We are proud to continue our partnership with Pharmacist Support and to support the Student Bursary Scheme for a third year. Pharmacy students are facing increasing pressures, and we believe it’s vital to help remove barriers that could prevent talented individuals from completing their training and entering the profession.”

Applications now open

The 2026 Student Bursary Scheme will be open to students at fully accredited pharmacy schools from 2 February to 20 April 2026. Full details, eligibility criteria, and application guidance can be found at: https://pharmacistsupport.org/i-need-help-managing-my/student-experience/bursary-scheme/