Key facts: Derby
- NHS pharmacies in Derby and Derbyshire (2024/25)
- 209
- Opened / closed in the year
- 12 / 13
- Run by independents
- 36.4% (England 49.9%)
- Items dispensed per pharmacy
- 97,681 (England 104,192)
- NMS consultations per pharmacy
- 518 (England 508)
- NHS commissioner
- NHS Derby and Derbyshire ICB
Source: NHS Business Services Authority, General Pharmaceutical Services 2024/25, Derby and Derbyshire figures. 37 ICBs outside London are ranked.
The pharmacy market around Derby
Across Derby and Derbyshire, which takes in Derby, there were 209 NHS community pharmacies in 2024/25. Independents (five or fewer pharmacies) held 76 of them, 36.4%, and multiples 133; the England share of independents is 49.9%, and Derby and Derbyshire ranks 34th of 37 on it.
With multiples holding more of the market than nationally, an independent pharmacy that comes up for sale here can draw competing buyers. Having finance lined up before you offer helps.
Pharmacy openings and closures, Derby and Derbyshire
12 pharmacies opened and 13 closed during 2024/25, a net loss of 1. Closures were 6.2% of the Derby and Derbyshire total (England 6.4%), 18th highest of 37.
When a pharmacy closes, its prescriptions move to those that remain. That can lift volumes at a well-placed pharmacy, but lenders want to see the uplift in dispensing figures, not only in a forecast.
Next door, Nottingham (Nottingham and Nottinghamshire) saw 14 openings and 21 closures among 235 pharmacies, Leicester (Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland) saw 11 openings and 12 closures among 232 pharmacies and Sheffield (South Yorkshire) saw 16 openings and 19 closures among 321 pharmacies.
Dispensing volumes and NHS services
Dispensing volume is the core of pharmacy income. In 2024/25 the typical Derby and Derbyshire pharmacy handled 97,681 items (England 104,192), 20,415,369 across the area, ranking 28th of 37, with 96.9% sent electronically. Lower average volumes mean each pharmacy's own figures, and its services, carry more weight with a lender than the area average.
On services, pharmacies here gave 79,919 NHS flu jabs (425 per participating pharmacy, England 437) and 108,231 New Medicine Service consultations, while 91.9% offered hypertension case-finding against 86.4% nationally. A strong services record gives a lender more than one income stream to rely on.
Financing a Derby pharmacy purchase
A lender looking at a Derby pharmacy will compare its items and services with the Derby and Derbyshire picture, then read the lease and your track record. Remember stock at completion and NHS payments in arrears: working capital often sits beside the acquisition loan. Our guide to buying a pharmacy covers the steps. The practice purchase loan calculator shows repayments against profit.
Premises, regulation and security
In England, a pharmacy freehold bought outright attracts Stamp Duty Land Tax on the non-residential scale, and the lender's security is a legal charge at HM Land Registry. If the building is rented, lenders read the lease closely: a short unexpired term caps the loan term.
The incoming owner applies for the NHS change of ownership and registers the premises with the General Pharmaceutical Council; lenders expect both in hand before completion.
Lenders for Derby pharmacies
There is no Derby lender panel. Lenders that understand pharmacies work across the country, so we search the whole market for each case. Fees depend on the lender and nothing is charged upfront.
Common questions
Are Derby pharmacies opening or closing?
In 2024/25, 12 opened and 13 closed across Derby and Derbyshire, leaving 209 on NHS Business Services Authority figures.
How busy are pharmacies in Derby and Derbyshire?
They averaged 97,681 items each in 2024/25, against 104,192 across England.
Do Derby pharmacies offer NHS flu vaccinations?
188 of the 209 pharmacies in Derby and Derbyshire gave NHS flu vaccinations in 2024/25, 79,919 in total.
