The latest NHS data on community pharmacy ownership in England (source NHSBSA) shows a further decline in overall numbers of contractors, down by 2,072 in the last five years to 9,923 in June 2026. There has also been a further shift in ownership with drops in both mid-sized groups (6-99) and larger groups (100+) and small independents owning 1-5 pharmacies now at 51.4% (5098) of the market.
NHS registered Distant Selling Pharmacies (Internet Pharmacies) have stabilised at 458 with no further contracts allowed; however there are an increasing number of private DSPs but no accessible data on a figure.
If the downward trend driven by ongoing central underfunding is to be limited, community pharmacy owners must adapt and adopt a new model, one less dependent on unprofitable NHS funding.