Pharmacy users' perceptions, awareness and future expectations of community pharmacy in England: a focus group study

Objective To explore pharmacy users' perceptions of current and future provision of community pharmacy services in England.Methods Qualitative, reconvened focus groups were conducted with community pharmacy users. An initial focus group explored preliminary views. Participants were then given an evidence brief describing community pharmacy before a reconvened focus group two weeks later. Transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.Key findings Eleven individuals participated across two reconvened focus groups. Participants valued community pharmacies and staff, but lacked awareness of their services and roles: ' horizontal ellipsis I don't think the general public is aware of all of this horizontal ellipsis it gives you a very different perspective'. Urgent care and long-term conditions management were identified as suitable for future development, facilitated by training, closer collaboration with general practices, shared access to health records, and premises with more space and confidentiality: 'I still think of it as a retail space more than as a health service'. Concerns were expressed about working conditions in community pharmacy and unplanned closures: 'doesn't sound like a great place to work'. Participants anticipated greater use of technology but did not want this to replace face-to-face contact with pharmacy staff: 'I am not saying it's inaccurate, it is so remote and impersonal'.Conclusions Pharmacy users would value a greater role for community pharmacy in addressing the challenges currently faced by the health service in England, provided that their concerns on a range of issues are addressed.