Lastly, @sigmaplcuk founder Dr Bharat Shah offers some words to #SigmaUK24

@sigmaplcuk New invoice and statement portal to launch next year.

@sigmaplcuk Haria introduces Dipesh Vaja, head of sales @sigmaplcuk to provide a company update

@sigmaplcuk Key reasons for shortages for Haria: UK lower priority to EU Reimbursement pricing review Regulatory regime - not enough resources to fast track variations

@sigmaplcuk "Flattest market in a long time". Avg reimbursement price has dropped from £3.27 to £2.65 - "a squeeze on pricing"

@sigmaplcuk Sigma holds 10% of market share, focused on generics.

@sigmaplcuk Total dispensing volumes has increased by 9.3% over the last six years, with London growing the most at 20%. Independents now dispensing much more than national chains, and growing fast. "Margin is not equally balanced"

Raj Haria, CCO of @sigmaplcuk next to talk at #SigmaUK24

@IQVIA_UK Phase two of community pharmacy economic analysis being run by IQVIA on behalf of NHSE to begin on Monday - asks contractors to give their input.

@IQVIA_UK Impact of DSPs big - but lower market share currently than many predicted a few years ago. Bricks and mortar still important.

@IQVIA_UK 61% of Pharmacy First consultations UTI and sore throat. Sore throat the most offered service. 83% of drugs dispensed under the service anti-bacterials

@IQVIA_UK Both items and forms growing by nearly 5% y-o-y. Huge volume increase. But fewer pharmacies overall. Independents account for 44.3% of market share, with national chains decreasing.

@IQVIA_UK Value of generics growing ahead of the volume of generics - impact of shortages. Atorvastatin shortages main cause of lipid regulator value increasing by ~40%

@IQVIA_UK Community pharmacy market grew 3.5% in volume and 4.9% in value in the year ending June 24. Community pharmacy deals with 90% of the total volume of drugs dispensed.

Next at #SigmaUK24 is Carol Alexander of @IQVIA_UK

@ShilpaS76 "Game-changer" referral service for low-income people in the area.

@ShilpaS76 Encourages stopping free services - free deliveries, dossette boxes, etc.

@ShilpaS76 Reviewing all locally commissioned services. But training time can be onerous. Have simplified that for NEL, and "cut the training right down".

@ShilpaS76 .@ShilpaS76 encourages contractors to respond to information requests/surveys.

@ShilpaS76 Community pharmacy needs to raise its profile - how? Attend industry events, work with trade body, speak to local MP, be united.