The National Pharmacy Association and the Independent Pharmacy Federation are to join forces, it has been announced, with a long-term plan of ’embedding the legacy’ of the IPF within the NPA. This move is intended to provide increased support to those working in the independent pharmacy sector, and follows the NPA’s attempts to refocus on the needs of this group – since 2013, full membership of the organisation has been available only to independents.

NPA chairman Ian Strachan, said: “We have enjoyed a close relationship with the IPF since our joint launch of the Manifesto for Independent Community Pharmacy in 2013. This set out a shared vision for the future of the independent sector. It seems a natural development for the IPF to have taken the decision to entrust its legacy to the NPA. The IPF has done a remarkable job with limited resources.

“Independents need be in no doubt that the full weight of the NPA – with the capacity possible on the back of a large membership base – is being deployed to help independents to thrive and we look forward to working with Fin McCaul and others in that task.”

Fin McCaul, chairman and founder member of the IPF said: “Our ambition has always been about getting independents a better deal and providing them with the support to build their businesses. Since the NPA restricted its membership to independents only, it has been right that we look at how we work closer with them. It has never been the intention of the IPF to compete with the NPA.

“We enjoyed working with the NPA on the Manifesto for Independents and now  is the time to share our ideas and pool our strengths. As we join together, I will be working with the NPA to find new ways of reaching out to members, building on the success of our engagement events such as conferences and webinars.”