Data published by the NHSBA shows that in April 2015 there has been a reduction of 14 dispensing practices in England, and a 40,000 fall in number of dispensing patients. However, the number of medical patients per practice continues to rise – by 50,000 since 2014.
These figures reflect the challenges of providing medical services to increasing numbers of medical patients in rural areas, despite reducing cross subsidy from dispensing income.
Amalgamations and pharmacy openings in England may be among the influences on the number of dispensing practices in England, although reductions in the number of dispensing patients point to closures or losses to pharmacies.
Any dispensing practice considering amalgamation should seek advice on affect of amalgamation on their dispensing list. Members can contact the DDA Office for advice.
The table below provides the headline figures for the past 10 years. Click here for the NHS spreadsheet.
| England | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
| Dispensing Doctors | 5279 | 5353 | 5311 | 5553 | 5,731 | 5778 | 5830 | 6061 | 6206 | 6300 | 6396 |
| Dispensing Practices | 1179 | 1166 | 1149 | 1135 | 1139 | 1129 | 1118 | 1086 | 1076 | 1059 | 1045 |
| Dispensing Patients (Millions) | 3.48 | 3.48 | 3.49 | 3.51 | 3.51 | 3.46 | 3.43 | 3.34 | 3.31 | 3.27 | 3.23 |
| Medical Patients in a dispensing practice (Millions) | 8.274 | 8.274 | 8.213 | 8.270 | 8.23 | 8.16 | 8.21 | ||||
| Dispensing Patients per Practice | 2950 | 2986 | 3038 | 3093 | 3085 | 3063 | 3064 | 3079 | 3073 | 3085 | 3087 |
| Medical patients per practice | 7264 | 7329 | 7346 | 7615 | 7649 | 7705 | 7852 | ||||
| Dispensing Patients per Doctor | 659 | 650 | 657 | 632 | 613 | 599 | 588 | 552 | 533 | 519 | 504 |
| Dispensing Doctors per Practice | 4.48 | 4.59 | 4.62 | 4.89 | 5.03 | 5.12 | 5.21 | 5.58 | 5.77 | 5.95 | 6.12 |
