Over 280,000 people lose local pharmacy so far this year

Over 280,000 people, the equivalent of a city the size of Newcastle Upon-Tyne, have seen their local pharmacy close in the first eight months of this year, new NHS data shows.

Analysis by the National Pharmacy Association of monthly NHS figures show that 51 high street pharmacies shut for good in England.

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “These are depressing figures and demonstrates the work to stabilise the pharmacy network that millions of patients depend on is not done yet.

“We need to act to prevent the permanent closure of pharmacies becoming the new normal at a time when government and the public wants more care closer to people’s homes.

“Patients are being forced to travel long distances to access the medicines and support they need, particularly on weekends.

“It is particularly concerning to see closures of pharmacies that have been singled out for additional support due to their importance to the patients that use them and the lack of available alternatives in those areas.

“We recognise this government has provided pharmacies with desperately needed funding uplifts, but much of this had to go out the door to meet soaring costs including business rates and national living wage leaving pharmacies facing a yawning gap between their costs and the funding they receive from the NHS.

“We want to work with the government to fundamentally reform the pharmacy contract to achieve ministers’ ambitions to bring care closer to home and end pharmacies being forced to dispense medicines at a loss.”