Sponsored Editorial

Charac, the UK’s largest and fastest-growing patient relationship management platform, has joined forces with Longfield-based Hodgson Pharmacy to manage an unprecedented rise in demand and enhance customer service.

This partnership follows the closure of Lloyds Pharmacy in Longfield, which has seen Hodgson's over-the-counter sales double and customer prescriptions increase by 50%.

Charac, known for its innovative patient management solutions, has developed a bespoke app for Hodgson Pharmacy. This one-stop platform aims to streamline the pharmacy’s operations, reduce prescription storage time, and offer patients a seamless experience, including ordering repeat prescriptions, booking consultations, and tracking deliveries.

Hodgson is one of many pharmacies across the UK coping with the impact of widespread closures.

In 2023, Lloyds Pharmacy shut down 16% of its stores, totalling 237 closures. The pressure on surviving pharmacies to absorb this extra demand has been substantial.

The closure of Lloyds Pharmacy has left a significant gap in the community, putting immense pressure on pharmacies like Hodgson to maintain high standards of care amidst increasing demand. Charac’s platform has been pivotal in helping Hodgson adapt to these challenges, ensuring efficient service delivery and patient satisfaction.

The government’s recent ‘Pharmacy First’ policy has added to the responsibilities of pharmacies in primary healthcare. The initiative directs patients with common ailments to pharmacies rather than GPs.

This shift necessitates digitisation to enhance efficiency and maintain standards of care, a goal Charac is committed to achieving.

Charac supports over 20% of UK pharmacies, with more than 2,000 community pharmacies nationally and 40,000 globally, thanks to its partnership with MedAdvisor. They have raised over £4m in funding, backed by key industry institutions like the National Pharmacy Association

Amish Patel, Hodgson Pharmacy owner, expressed his satisfaction with Charac’s support: “The closure of Lloyds placed additional stress on our operations. Charac’s app has reduced this burden, enhancing our efficiency and service speed.”

Santosh Sahu, Founder and CEO of Charac, highlighted the partnership's success: “Hodgson Pharmacy exemplifies how Charac can benefit both pharmacies and patients. We are thrilled that Longfield residents now enjoy a more personalised and efficient service. Our mission is to help pharmacies globally deliver this enhanced standard of care.”

The Hodgson Pharmacy app is now available on Google Play, bringing improved healthcare services to the Longfield community.