Pharmacy Space in Primary Care Centres
Leasing of Pharmacy Space
Pharmacies are increasingly regarded as an integral element of new Primary Care Centres.   Having a pharmacy immediately on hand after visiting the GP is obviously convenient for patients and such co-location also allows the pharmacist to play a positive role as part of the wider family of primary care practitioners available in such centres.  Typically, developers lease space directly to commercial pharmacies – without any direct involvement of the PCT, GPs or other users of the facility.  Acton Shapiro encourages PCTs to consider an alternative model for securing pharmacies in new Primary Care Centres:  why not ensure that the PCT takes the main lease for the centre and then sub-leases space to a pharmacy?  This promises many advantages:
  • Substantial financial benefits - not only from payment of an initial “lease premium” but also potentially high rates throughout the lease term
  • Fostering of closer links between the pharmacy and the requirements of the PCT
  • Greater flexibility in use of space in the Primary Care Centre e.g. by allowing for expansion, or change of internal location for the pharmacy, in the years to come
  • An opportunity to influence the services being provided by the pharmacy (such as length of opening hours, etc.).
Acton Shapiro has experience of supporting PCTs right through the process of securing pharmacy space in Primary Care Centres.  This includes identifying potential pharmacies, developing specifications, pre-qualification, tendering, selection, negotiation and facilitating the sub-lease right up to the point of Legal Close.
Appointment of an independent company such as Acton Shapiro has the added benefits of reducing unnecessary administrative costs and time for the PCT.  It also enables the necessary transparency and robust corporate governance in view of the various roles of the PCT, including that of granting pharmacy contracts.

We should be happy to advise any PCT contemplating letting space for a pharmacy in a Primary Care Centre.  Contact Richard Banyard (richard@actonshapiro.co.uk) or Chris Acton (chris@actonshapiro.co.uk).