NHS-Integrated app Charac receives £1.2M funding boost from The NPA and pharmacy owners

Charac, an NHS-integrated pharmacy app designed to lessen independent community pharmacies’ operational burdens and help them deliver on the Government’s Pharmacy First approach, has raised some £1.2 million in debt and equity financing jointly from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and pharmacy owners, bringing the total funds raised by Charac to £2.5 million. 

With ongoing pharmacy closures across the UK, there are now only 11,026 community pharmacies in England, according to data from the NHS Business Services Authority – the lowest number since 2015. Rising operational costs, staff shortages and reduced government financial support have all been blamed.

This comes at a time when pharmacies will soon be under further pressure because of the Government’s planned Pharmacy First approach. Under the new approach, patients suffering various ailments, such as sore throats or shingles, will be sent to local pharmacies first instead of GPs. This includes the announcement that pharmacists will soon be given scope to prescribe medications, including antibiotics, for select conditions that have typically been the preserve of GPs.

“Longer-term this is good news, but right now many pharmacies are focusing more on survival and will struggle to fulfil the new expanded role planned for them by the Government, says Charac founder Santosh Sahu. “So many of Britain’s pharmacies are just not in the position they need to be to pick up the extra scope. We intend to help significantly improve the health of community pharmacies and enable them to play the larger role that is expected of them.”

Charac is an app specifically designed to relieve time pressure, increase efficiency, and help drive the growth of community pharmacies, as well as boost appreciation of their services. The results of a recent UK wide-survey by Charac revealed that only 13% of people are aware of the full range of services on offer at their local pharmacy. By increasing community pharmacies’ online capabilities, Charac is determined to boost this and increase the take up of services that pharmacies provide, while at the same time making it easier for pharmacies to more effectively supply them.

Charac’s innovative approach to patient engagement and its focus on the digitalisation of the sector as a key initiative to improve its prospects is increasingly being welcomed and adopted by a growing number of pharmacies.  Already, over 400 pharmacies have signed onto the app and that is forecast to rise to 2,000 in 2024. The app allows pharmacists to manage repeat prescriptions, access patient records, create bookings and conduct consultations. Currently there are around 25,000 patients using Charac’s platform and that’s projected to rise to 100,000 by the end of its financial year (March 2024).

NPA, the trade association for 80% of independent pharmacies across the UK says the funding injection provides Charac with the financing to further enhance its app and the services it can offer. In 2022, the NPA agreed to a long-term partnership with Charac to support and accelerate the digital transition of independent community pharmacies.

“Our aim is to help independents become more than a match for the national pharmacy chains in terms of their digital interface with patients”, says Simon Tebbutt, Director of Membership at the NPA. “Together, NPA, pharmacy owners and Charac will ensure that independent pharmacies can meet modern consumer expectations and adapt to the ever-evolving environment”.

The further backing from the NPA also follows £1 million investment from Royal Mail. “Prioritising these types of partnerships and integrations across the NHS ecosystem is critical to delivering better healthcare for all”, says Santosh. “Digitalisation is a key step towards providing both pharmacists and patients with more resources, control and efficiency when it comes to managing healthcare.”