Key facts: Plymouth
- NHS pharmacies in Devon (2024/25)
- 216
- Opened / closed in the year
- 9 / 16
- Run by independents
- 37.5% (England 49.9%)
- Items dispensed per pharmacy
- 107,877 (England 104,192)
- NMS consultations per pharmacy
- 510 (England 508)
- NHS commissioner
- NHS Devon ICB
Source: NHS Business Services Authority, General Pharmaceutical Services 2024/25, Devon figures. 37 ICBs outside London are ranked.
The pharmacy market around Plymouth
Across Devon, which takes in Plymouth, there were 216 NHS community pharmacies in 2024/25. Independents (five or fewer pharmacies) held 81 of them, 37.5%, and multiples 135; the England share of independents is 49.9%, and Devon ranks 31st of 37 on it. The ICB also covers Exeter.
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, Devon
9 pharmacies opened and 16 closed during 2024/25, a net loss of 7. Closures were 7.4% of the Devon total (England 6.4%), 13th 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.
For comparison, Truro (Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly) averaged 96,303 items per pharmacy with 28.3% independent, Taunton (Somerset) averaged 86,421 items per pharmacy with 27.7% independent and Bristol (Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) averaged 98,159 items per pharmacy with 39.8% independent.
Dispensing volumes and NHS services
Dispensing volume is the core of pharmacy income. In 2024/25 the typical Devon pharmacy handled 107,877 items (England 104,192), 23,301,386 across the area, ranking 12th of 37, with 96.0% sent electronically. With volumes near the England norm, the individual pharmacy's direction of travel matters more than the area figure.
Services add income beyond dispensing: 110,250 New Medicine Service consultations (510 per pharmacy, England 508), 73,356 NHS flu vaccinations from 186 pharmacies, and 89.8% of pharmacies running hypertension case-finding (England 86.4%). A strong services record gives a lender more than one income stream to rely on.
Financing a Plymouth pharmacy purchase
Pharmacy prices are mostly goodwill, so lenders read several years of dispensing, NHS income and services against figures like these, alongside the lease and your contribution. Stock has to be funded at completion and NHS reimbursement arrives in arrears, so plan working capital with the loan. See our guide to buying a pharmacy. 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. For leased premises, expect a lender to ask for the lease and to match the loan term to it.
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 Plymouth pharmacies
Lenders for pharmacies are not organised by region, so neither is our search: for Plymouth, as anywhere, we search the whole market and approach the lenders whose criteria fit. Fees depend on the lender; nothing is payable upfront.
Common questions
Are Plymouth pharmacies opening or closing?
In 2024/25, 9 opened and 16 closed across Devon, leaving 216 on NHS Business Services Authority figures.
How busy are pharmacies in Devon?
They averaged 107,877 items each in 2024/25, against 104,192 across England.
Do you lend to Plymouth pharmacists?
No, we are a broker. We search the whole market for lenders that fund pharmacies and put your case to them. Fees depend on the lender, with nothing to pay upfront.
