One of the principal aims is to help ensure that people living in deprived communities and minority ethnic groups are properly represented in trials. More than 99% of the population in the UK's most deprived areas have access to a community pharmacy within a 20-minute walk.

Professor Mahendra Patel, director of the Centre for Research Equity, said: ‘Participants from underserved communities are often disproportionately under-represented in clinical research.

‘Community pharmacies are a valuable local health resource. By engaging them as a channel to recruit participants, we can help ensure that research more accurately reflects the make-up of society and is inclusive and diverse.'

NPA vice-chair, Sukhi Basra, added: 'NPA members taking part will be helping to ensure safe and effective healthcare practice across the UK and worldwide. It is commonplace for GP practices to recruit patients into trials, and we are confident that the community pharmacy network can add value to research efforts.

'Developing a role in supporting clinical trials and health research could also be a financially valuable diversification opportunity for some hard-pressed pharmacies.'