At September’s DDA Conference, our Director Ankit, delivered an insightful presentation that left attendees with a powerful sense of just how far Dispex has come and how much further we can take dispensing practices. For members and non-members alike, it was a whistle-stop tour of the tools, training and innovations that make Dispex the second-largest organisation supporting dispensing GPs after the DDA itself.
Dispex: Saving Time and Driving Profit
From the start, Ankit reinforced our dual focus: increasing practice profitability while saving staff time. Using practical examples, he showed how practices can typically generate thousands of pounds in additional income through Dispex resources:
- Generics costing more than tariff – up to £10,000/year.
- Brand comparisons – worth £7,000/year.
- Dispensing-friendly formularies – another £8,000/year.
- Pop-up prescribing Nudgers – saving £6,000/year while still leaving the final decision with the clinician.
- By the end, the figures spoke for themselves: an average practice could save over £40,000 annually and
reclaim more than 121 staff hours-the equivalent of three weeks of a full-time employee.
Practical Tools for Everyday Dispensaries
The presentation highlighted the wide range of ready- to-use resources available to members:
- Standard Operating Policies – instantly downloadable, eliminating the stress of writing them from scratch.
- PCSE Drug Statement guides – simplifying complex processes.
- Dispensary Management & Prescription Clerk guides – essential reference texts for daily operations.
- Dispex CD Register – fully NHS compliant and easy to use, saving practices around £300 per year.
These are more than just documents, they are practical time-savers that can reduce staff workload by hours each week.
The Rise of Dispex AI
One of the highlights of Ankit’s talk was the introduction of Dispex AI, launched just last year. It’s already answered thousands of practice queries and continues to improve monthly. Examples included everything from calculating DRUMS, drafting full DSQS audits, and creating SOPs, to producing staff or patient leaflets on demand.
This isn’t a gimmick, it’s a genuine support tool that could save 50 hours a year for the average practice, while helping managers and teams feel more confident with audits, compliance, and communication.
Training, Mentorship, and Community
Beyond tools and tech, Ankit also emphasised the human side of Dispex. He showcased our:
- Dispensary Managers Mentorship Programme
– 20 hours of one-to-one, role-focused training delivered over several months. - WhatsApp group for members – fostering real-time peer support.
- Regular training events – from VAT and batch submission workshops, all at discounted rates for members.
This combination of mentorship, training, and community is designed to ensure no dispensary team feels they’re navigating challenges alone.
Looking Ahead: Innovation on the Horizon
The session closed with an exciting preview of Dispex Labs, where new ideas are being tested, including a GMS & Drug Statement Checker that could instantly transform raw data into actionable insights. Ankit gave just enough of a teaser to leave the audience wanting more, hinting at the innovation pipeline that keeps Dispex ahead of the curve!
Those present at the conference saw first-hand how Dispex blends technology, training, and expert guidance to deliver measurable impact. Whether it’s saving thousands of pounds, freeing up weeks of staff time or providing reassurance through mentorship and AI support, Ankit’s message was clear: Dispex isn’t just an add-on for practices, it’s an essential partner in making dispensing easier, more profitable, and future-ready.
On the Stand
Our Essential Dispensary Manager’s Guide was a huge hit at the conference, with stock nearly selling out! Equally in demand was Kirstye’s availability for her Dispensary Managers Mentorship Programme. If you’re hoping to enrol this Autumn, please note that places are limited and allocated on a first-booked, first-served basis. The programme consists of 20 sessions and typically runs between 3 and 6 months, depending on delegate availability. Please email the office to enrol.
At the conference, Kirstye had the pleasure of meeting three of her participants Shilpa, Caitlin and Beth – now proud recipients of the UK’s first-ever Certificate in Dispensary Management! They shared glowing praise for both the programme and Kirstye herself.
For Beth, the real value of the programme lies in its practical nature “It’s a fun professional way to learn new things or brush up on things you thought you already knew- I learnt a lot.” She has already introduced several positive changes, including patient feedback processes, improved CD handling, and the use of privacy screens at collection points.
Shilpa highlighted Kirstye’s wealth of knowledge and abundant experience, reflecting on the strong guidance she received: “I felt well supported and guided by my mentor and have implemented changes to competency assessments, audits, and SOPs.” Shilpa would recommend the programme to others, saying
“Dispensary business manager roles can feel isolated, but this mentorship gave me confidence that I’m on the right track. Kirstye tailored sessions to my needs, I was confident in some areas, but needed extra support in others and this programme was perfect to fit my needs. I could share ideas openly, ask questions freely, and gained the extra support I needed.”
We hope to see more of you at next year’s conference. Should you have any questions following the event, please reach out by email.
