Ethnic minority pharmacy practice

Abstract

Community pharmacy in Britain practised by members of ethnic minorities is characterised by a large number of independent proprietors. We examined and compared the career paths of ethnic minority (largely Asian) and British white pharmacists, concluding that there are a number of qualitative and quantitative differences. We considered the number and distribution of pharmacies owned by ethnic minority pharmacists and the relationship to ethnic residential areas. Linkages between pharmacies and local communities were also examined. We suggest that the British ethnic minority-owned pharmacy currently fulfils a role for patients who feel less confident in a pharmacy owned or managed by a British white pharmacist and that this, at present, enables the small pharmacy business to remain viable in a competitive environment. Whether or how long this will remain the case will depend on a number of factors, including remuneration packages and changing attitudes among successive generations of British Asian pharmacists.