Numark has unveiled an emotive short film to mark the year Pharmacy stood tall across UK communities. Created and produced by Craft Manchester, the integrated production capability within McCann Manchester, the three-minute reel features a montage of personal anecdotes from Numark’s member pharmacies. The heartfelt narrative explores the challenges and experiences of COVID-19 while championing the many examples of how pharmacy teams have gone above and beyond, as they have continued to serve their local communities through the pandemic.
Launching this week, across social channels, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, the campaign will run for two weeks. The film is being supported by a PR effort including a survey into UK perception and value of local pharmacies and a trade media relations programme, shining a light on some of its members.
Indeed, perception of community pharmacy has never felt stronger in the wake of the pandemic with more than four-fifths of the UK, specifically calling-out community pharmacies as going above and beyond in 2020. Praised for staying open during the pandemic, putting their health on the line to serve so many different people coming through their doors and continually offering medical advice where required – Numark’s new film poignantly touches on tales relating to all these valued aspects of pharmacy life.[1]
Commenting on the film, Marketing Director at Numark, Emma Smith, said: “Community pharmacies have stood tall and true heroes have emerged over the last nine months. We wanted to capture their strength, passion and commitment to deliver for the communities in which they operate, during what has been one of the most challenging years.”
Rachel Cummins, Managing Director at Craft Manchester, said, “The short film is a celebration of the stoic strength and resilience of Numark’s members. We enjoyed creating the reel which recognises some the country’s health heroes who continued to serve our communities under very difficult circumstances.”
Due to cuts in vital government funding, it is predicted that 72% of pharmacies will be running at a loss by 2024 and will be at risk of closure[2]. This new film from Numark hopes to raise awareness of the valuable role pharmacies play within UK communities among those who regularly use and rely on their local pharmacy staying open.
[1] Consumer research conducted by Opinion Matters on behalf of Numark, via a poll of 2,023 UK adults, November 2020. 83 per cent call-out community pharmacies as going above and beyond in 2020. Pharmacies are praised for staying open (56 per cent), putting their health on the line to serve so many different people coming through their doors (47 per cent) and continually offering medical advice where required (43 per cent).
[2] Taken from Ernest & Young report, page 10 https://www.npa.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/EY-NPA-Impacts-of-current-funding-policy-and-economic-environment-on-pharmacy-in-England-FINAL.pdf