In this thought-provoking episode of The Pharmacy Planet Podcast, founder and CEO Bhupinder “Boo” Dhaliwal sits down with Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA), to explore the state of community pharmacy in the UK. From her journey as a clinical pharmacy student in Sweden to leading one of the most influential advocacy bodies in UK healthcare, Leyla shares personal insights and expert analysis on the opportunities and urgent challenges facing the pharmacy sector today.
Table of Contents
1. Leyla’s Origin Story: A Cross-Continental Calling
2. Leadership Across the Sector
3. Pharmacy Funding and Government Policy
Leyla’s Origin Story: A Cross-Continental Calling
Leyla Hannbeck’s passion for pharmacy began in Sweden, where she studied clinical pharmacy before relocating to the UK in 2004. Her story is one of relentless advocacy, grounded in a deep understanding of pharmacy’s potential to transform public health. She reflects on how her early interest in healthcare and public service eventually propelled her into leadership roles within two major organisations championing independent pharmacy.
Leadership Across the Sector
Leyla discusses her impactful tenure at the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) and her current role as CEO of the IPA. With experience in both organisations, she provides a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on the politics and priorities shaping the pharmacy landscape. She details how the IPA supports independent pharmacy owners, regardless of size, and why advocacy at the national level is critical to sector survival.
Pharmacy Funding and Government Policy
One of the most urgent topics in the episode is funding. Leyla candidly addresses the consequences of the £1.2 billion shortfall in core community pharmacy funding and the lack of sustainable government support. She unpacks the implications of NHS contract decisions, highlighting how chronic underfunding threatens not only business viability but also patient safety and healthcare access.
The Future of Community Pharmacy
Looking ahead, Leyla expresses cautious optimism about initiatives which could expand the clinical role of pharmacists in primary care. She envisions a future where pharmacies play a central role in managing long-term conditions, delivering vaccinations, and supporting patients closer to home, provided that the government backs this vision with real investment and reform.
Unity in Primary Care
A key takeaway from the episode is Leyla’s call for greater collaboration across the primary care spectrum. She advocates for unified voices among pharmacists, GPs, and healthcare leaders to influence national policy. Whether through the IPA or joint efforts with the NPA and Community Pharmacy England (CPE), she believes collective advocacy is the path to long-term change.
Tune In for a Refreshingly Honest Dialogue
This episode offers a rare combination of professional insight and personal candour. From Leyla’s political ambitions to her stance on industrial action, nothing is off-limits. Boo and Leyla bring a light-hearted yet purposeful tone to serious topics — making this a must-listen for anyone in pharmacy, healthcare, or policy circles.
Watch the full episode:
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