Responsible for dispensing over 99% of prescription items in the last year, community pharmacies provide a critical service to local communities across the region. Indeed, over 99% of the population live within five miles of their nearest pharmacy.

The Health and Social Care’s Business Services Organisation (BSO) has published its General Pharmaceutical Services for NI Annual Statistics 2025/26, which outlines information on prescription dispensing and payments in relation to community dispensing.

While revealing there are two fewer pharmacies than last year, the report also shows that on average, each community pharmacy dispensed over 91,000 prescription items in 2025/26, an increase of over 2% on the previous year.

Notably, in 2024/25, the most recent year with data available across all UK regions, Northern Ireland had the highest ingredient cost per person at approximately £258. This was 36% higher than England, where the equivalent cost was just over £190 in the same year.

The total number of items dispensed by all contractors increased by 2% to 46.4 million in 2025/26, compared with the previous year and is the highest annual level of dispensing recorded in Northern Ireland, 14% higher than in 2015/16. This equated to 2.3 million prescription forms per month, on average, being processed throughout the year, an increase of more than 3% on last year.

The total ingredient cost (before discount) of items dispensed over the year was £510 million – an increase of 3% on the previous year. The annual total ingredient cost fell each year between 2015/16 and 2018/19 but has since been on an upward trend and is now 16% higher than a decade ago.

In addition to the reimbursement pharmacy contractors received for products dispensed, £135 million of other payments were processed, an increase of 7% (£9m) on the previous year. These payments relate to a variety of services and professional fees, as well as additional payments for services such as advice and treatment of everyday healthcare conditions, stop smoking service and vaccinations.

The post NI loses two more community pharmacies in the last year first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

This is your chance to share your achievements and promote the hard work you have done.

The Newcomer of the Year category at the Neighbourhood Retailer Awards spotlights those retailers who have taken up the mantle, stepped up to the plate and took on a store of their own or who have added to their current portfolio.

Opening a store is no easy feat, with a host of challenges and tasks to undertake. The Newcomer of the Year category shines a light on that work, seeking out retailers and shop owners who have sought to create a better environment for their community.

Judged against the appropriate criteria for the type and size of the store, the new store must be in business not more than two years up to and including 30^th June 2026. This award acknowledges those retailers who offer convenience in opening hours, product range, available services and facilities, as well as access and parking.

Have you worked hard to merchandise and display products in your store to catch the eye of discerning consumers? Committed to maximising layout, signage and presentation?

Customer service, efficiency, product knowledge and staff engagement all deserve to be recognised – so why not shout about your achievements!

Entering the NR Awards is free and easy – all you have to do is click the link below, which will take you directly to the entry form. Simply enter your store details, select your preferred categories, add some brief details and photos and click submit.

GOOD LUCK!

Enter the 2026 NR Awards – Neighbourhood Retailer

The post Have you opened a new store? first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

With a fast-tracked, streamlined process, there are just three easy steps to follow to complete your entry:

• Enter your business and contact details
• Select your award category – up to three categories
• A brief description and photos and SUBMIT!

We have extended the entry deadline to Tuesday 30th June, so don’t miss out on getting your entry in – if you’re not in you can’t win!

The NR Awards take place on Friday 16^th October when we return to the world-famous Europa Hotel and we can’t wait to see you all there!

For more information contact: dawn.cartmill@pentonmedia.co.uk or caroline.rainey@pentonmedia.co.uk

ENTER NOW: Enter the 2026 NR Awards – Neighbourhood Retailer

The post Awards entry deadline extended! first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The new Triple Dip includes three sour sherbet flavours – strawberry, apple and blue raspberry – along with the Swizzelstick for dipping.

With an RRP of £0.50p, the latest addition to Swizzels countline range features bold new packaging set to stand out on counter tops and appeal to those seeking a sour twist on a nostalgic product.

“Double Dip has been loved for generations and this timeless treat is just as popular today,” said Clare Newton, trade and shopper marketing manager at Swizzels.

“With sour confectionery in high demand, creating a Triple Dip that leans into this trend felt like the perfect way to mark 50 years since Double Dip first launched.

“Both products are vegan-friendly and affordable, appealing to a wide range of consumers and enabling retailers to bring something new to their novelty offerings. Whether shoppers are seeking to be transported to childhood trips to the corner shop with Double Dip or are hearing about the product for the first time in the form of Triple Dip, the brand is a must-stock for retailers looking to drive novelty sales and capitalise on the nostalgia and sour trends in the category.”

As the top manufacturer of countline sugar confectionery, Swizzels continues to add novelty products to its range, appealing to demand for low-cost treats from trusted brands. The novelty category is currently worth £69m* making it a key focus for retailers looking to elevate their confectionery offerings.

The post Swizzels celebrates 50 years of Double Dip with launch of Triple Dip Sour first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

In 2024, there was an estimated 520,000 people across Northern Ireland, including 130,000 children who were living in food-insecure households, an increase from 370,000 in 2022.

Today, one in five Northern Irish households (21%) are experiencing food insecurity, an increase of five percentage points in just two years. Crucially, six in 10 people who faced food insecurity last year did not turn to any form of charitable food support at all – a reminder that food bank statistics capture only a part of a much wider and often hidden crisis.

Carla Smyth, Trussell NI Network Lead has spent many years working to tackle inequality and support people facing hardship. As she took up the role earlier this year, her focus has partly centred on the importance of creating systems that genuinely support people to thrive.

“While inflation has eased slightly over the past two years, this has not translated into a reduction in the need for charitable food support,” said Carla.

“Families across Northern Ireland continue to struggle with the combined pressures of high food prices, housing costs and the cost of everyday essentials.

“The number of food parcels distributed by the Trussell food bank community decreased slightly in 2025, largely due to easing inflation which reflected a slowdown in the rising cost of essentials – alongside fewer people losing their jobs.”

Carla said it was not simply a case of inflation alone solving the scale of severe hardship.

“We’re now seeing the high cost of living being baked in, with many people still unable to keep up with the cost of essentials and pushed to the brink,” added Carla.

“At the same time, levels of need continue to outpace donations. Many food banks say they are at breaking points and are having to purchase significant amounts of food just to keep shelves stocked.”

Anti-poverty charity, Trussell is a community of food banks working towards a future where no-one needs a food bank to survive. Alongside providing emergency food, its food bank community supports people with practical help and advice when they are left without enough money for the essentials.

The first Trussell food bank opened in Northern Ireland in 2011, 15 years on the network has grown significantly. In 2026, there are 22 Trussell food banks operating across almost 50 locations, working alongside many independent food banks.

As Carla outlined, hunger in Northern Ireland, as elsewhere, is not a food problem but an income one.

“Last year, food banks in the Trussell community across Northern Ireland provided 68,000 emergency food parcels. While this marked a decrease on the previous year, demand remains far higher than before the pandemic, with distribution in 2025 still 60% higher than in 2019,” said Carla.

“This isn’t right. No-one should have to turn to a food bank to get by.”

Carla said their relationship with retailers here is critical, stressing they play a vital role in the charity’s work across the region, while retailers – particularly independents – have a unique role as anchors within their local communities.

“The support we receive – whether through hosting in-store food collection points, allowing store collections, donating surplus stock, or encouraging staff volunteering – makes a really big difference to our food banks,” said Carla.

“Last year, 58% of all food bank stock came from public donations via supermarkets, underlining just how central retailers are to our ability to support people facing hardship.

“Despite this generosity, 2025 saw a significant drop in food donations. As a result, many food banks have been forced to purchase more stock, using already stretched and limited funds to ensure everyone who needs a food parcel receives ones. This highlights why strengthening and expanding relationships with retailers remains so important. We are always keen to work with retailers who feel able to support their local food bank in any way, big or small.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH CARLA SMYTH IN THE MAY ISSUE HERE

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