Pharmacist warns community pharmacies could disappear unless funding increases

A pharmacist in Twyford has warned that community pharmacies across the country could disappear from communities unless the Government increases its funding.

Newdays Pharmacy in Twyford dimmed its lights and blacked out its windows on the morning of Thursday, September 19 as staff wore black clothing to take part in a day of action to highlight funding cuts made by the Government over the last 10 years.

Owner Olivier Picard, who is also vice-chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said a funding contract expired in April and community pharmacies are still unaware of what they will be paid for this financial year (2024/25), and are in ‘limbo, losing money every day’.

He highlighted the stark reality of the situation which he said has seen community pharmacy funding progressively cut from £2.8billion in 2015/16 to £2.592billion, where it has stayed for the last five years.

He said: “Over the last 10 years, the Government has reduced the funding of community pharmacies and then offered a flat funding deal, which has been going on for the last five years.”

Mr Picard said the shortage in funding is estimated to be about £1.3billion and, with inflation in mind, funding should be £3billion, not £2.5billion.

“This has led to a lot of pharmacies becoming unviable.

“Seventy-five per cent of pharmacies are in the red currently.

“Pharmacies are closing at the fastest rate ever, which is currently about seven a week.”

The cost of medicine has ‘escalated’, Mr Picard said, and following Brexit and general increases in demand for medicine, there are ‘severe shortages of medicine in the UK’.

“So very often what happens is pharmacies have to pay more than they get reimbursed by the Government for sourcing medication, which adds further pressure onto the system.

“Pharmacies today are closing and whenever a community loses a pharmacy, it never reopens.”

Mr Picard said his own pharmacy in Twyford is currently in the red in terms of its NHS work and said staff are ‘disheartened’ by the situation.

He added that the ‘severe strain’ is even leading to some pharmacies considering reducing their opening hours to the minimum that they have been contracted by the NHS.

He has called for MPs to lobby the Government on the issue and ask questions.

Mr Picard said he is calling for the Government to increase the funding contract and sit down with community pharmacies to negotiate a deal which will not only cover inflation but will reassure businesses that there is a deal for the future so they can invest in their staff and premises.

Members of the NPA are currently being balloted and Mr Picard hopes that by the end of the process, a
resolution is found, or industrial action could be taken.

A Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson, said: “This government inherited a broken NHS where pharmacies have been neglected for years.

“Pharmacies are key to making healthcare fit for the future as we shift the focus of the NHS out of hospitals and into the community.

“We will make better use of pharmacists’ skills, including accelerating the rollout of independent prescribing to improve access to care.”

The DHSC will be re-commencing a consultation on funding for 2024/25 with Community Pharmacy England (CPE) as soon as possible.

It is also closely monitoring the market for both permanent and temporary pharmacy closures.