Media plays a critical role in furthering the profile and opportunity for community pharmacy

That is where events such as the Pharmacy Show come in – supporting pharmacists to improve their clinical roles and making them aware of the latest developments in the industry which can help them meet the needs of their patients. The show plays a very important role where that is concerned.

The media too plays a critical role in furthering the profile and opportunity for community pharmacy. Pharmacy Business magazine is the number one title for community pharmacists - informing them of all the latest news affecting their profession, supporting them to improve their clinical offering and, crucially, giving them a voice on the issues impacting them, their businesses and their patients.

Reaching community pharmacists across the UK, Pharmacy Business leads the way in breaking the news first and updating its readership through the pages of its print magazine, its website and social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.

Over the last few years it has caught the attention of the community pharmacy profession, pharmacy leaders, politicians, pharmaceutical companies and patients through its unique selling point – an ability to tackle sensitive issues head on and ask tough questions of decision-makers.

Whether it is the drugs shortage, service commissioning, emerging local healthcare structures, funding cuts or ministerial recognition of community pharmacy's potential to alleviate the pressure on the NHS, Pharmacy Business has been there to get answers on behalf of community pharmacists.

The title has also expanded, introducing an annual conference in tandem with its annual awards – the biggest in the pharmacy industry. This year the Pharmacy Business conference examined how community pharmacies can develop through the use of technology and improve the way they roll health services out to patients.

Over the last three years the conference has been a great success, not only in informing pharmacists of new developments, but in spreading best practice. After all,
there is no better way for pharmacists to improve than learning from other pharmacists.

Another strength of Pharmacy Business has been its powerful story-telling of community pharmacists' successes and struggles. Statistics and figures are great but it is compelling story-telling that grabs the imagination.

Between Pharmacy Business magazine and the Pharmacy Show, community pharmacists are in good hands.