Supporting pharmacies for over a decade

THE place to be for community pharmacy professionals

For the past 12 years, Cripps has proudly had a stand at the NEC’s annual Pharmacy Show, making it a vital part of our calendar. This event gives us a unique opportunity to connect with operators, agents, funders, and fellow lawyers in the pharmacy sector. While our work in the sector is non-stop throughout the year, at the Pharmacy Show we have a dedicated weekend to reflect, learn, and engage with those shaping the future of pharmacy.

The hall is always buzzing with everyone who is passionate about primary care, striving to make a positive impact on their communities and patients. We relish the opportunity to listen to our clients, share experiences, and gain insights into what’s working, what isn’t, and what’s on the horizon for the pharmacy sector. This vibrant setting allows us to better understand how we can support those who need it from a legal perspective, ensuring we get things right for our clients so they can, in turn, provide exceptional care for their patients.

At Cripps, we are committed to providing excellent legal support across the pharmacy sector, from first acquisitions to retirement sales and everything in between. With over 25 years of experience, we handle around 30 deals each year, distinguishing ourselves through our sector expertise. Our deep knowledge of the pharmacy market helps us anticipate potential issues, doing the thinking for our clients, and coming up with proactive solutions that create smooth transactions.

In our conversations at the Pharmacy Show, we’ve noticed several emerging trends shaping the future of the pharmacy sector. One key focus is the growing demand for technology integration within pharmacy operations. From digital prescriptions to AI-powered pharmacy management systems, technology is central to improving efficiency, patient care, and regulatory compliance.

James Clewlow, Partner and Head of Horsham at Cripps

We are also seeing a strong emphasis on collaboration within the healthcare ecosystem. Primary care networks are evolving, and there is more focus on cooperative models between pharmacies, GP practices, and other healthcare providers. This has been evidenced over the past 5 years through the increased focus on delivery of services, which continues to be forefront of operators’ offering to their patients, particularly with the introduction of Pharmacy First (which is not without its own challenges). As pharmacies seek to build partnerships and joint ventures that support the delivery of integrated care, our clients increasingly turn to us for legal guidance on how to navigate these business relationships.

Our understanding of what matters in the sector gives our clients a competitive edge. We adopt a collaborative, inclusive approach when working with healthcare professionals, recognising that this gives our clients with the support they need to get the job done. Our participation in the Pharmacy Show reaffirms our commitment to these values.

Our strength lies in our ability to understand our clients’ needs, building genuine relationships based on trust and loyalty. For many of our clients, the Pharmacy Show has been where those relationships begin.