The financial impact of the Pharmacy of Your Choice scheme on community pharmacies

Abstract

Objective: To give an insight into the financial impact of the Pharmacy Of Your Choice (POYC ) scheme on community pharmacies. Method: A time and motion study was carried out in three community pharmacies that are enrolled in the POYC scheme to provide information on the time allocated to the various activities pertaining to the scheme. Two different methods were used to calculate the costs incurred to implement the system in the three pharmacies. Key findings: The direct costs that are related to the implementation of the POYC scheme are reasonably close to the government’s remuneration. Conclusion: Expenses incurred due to the POYC scheme run into thousands of Euro every year. Consequently, the POYC scheme does not seem to be very profitable for the community pharmacies where it has been implemented. It is highly recommended that the remuneration by the government ought to be revised.