Rowlands Pharmacy has taken over the outpatient dispensing contract 26 NHS Trusts and 44 hospital in a move that marks a significant milestone in the growth of their retail pharmacy business.
The process , which began a year ago and was completed in February, took place as Lloyds Pharmacy Healthcare Services exited the market.
The transition covers Outpatient Pharmacy Departments (OPDs), Mental Health Pharmacies and Wholesale Pharmacies, securing continuity of care and safeguarding patient access to vital medicines and support.
As a result of this growth, Rowlands is now the largest OPD provider in England.
Trusts will have access to resources offered through the wider PHOENIX group. The transfer also provides the immediate release of capital through stock handover and creates opportunities for significant VAT savings by dispensing medication via Rowlands.
Teams across Rowlands have worked collaboratively to ensure a smooth and efficient transition, maintaining continuity of care for patients while integrating new sites into retail operations.
As part of this expansion, Rowlands have welcomed new colleagues from across the hospital network.
Rowlands said the expertise and experience of the new recruits will be invaluable to continuing to provide high-quality, patient-focused care in partnership with the NHS.
Nigel Swift, Managing Director of Rowlands Pharmacy, said: "This is an exciting step forward for Rowlands, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high-quality pharmacy services within NHS hospitals. The dedication and hard work of our teams have been instrumental in making this transition a success. We look forward to working closely with our new colleagues and partners to enhance patient care and drive further innovation in outpatient pharmacy services."
