Pharmacy Owners Vote to Cut Services Due to Funding Crisis
Pharmacy owners in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly to potentially reduce services and opening hours in response to critical funding challenges. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) conducted a ballot where 99% of responding pharmacies expressed willingness to limit services unless funding improves.
The NPA is calling for an annual £1.7 billion funding increase to address what they describe as a significant financial shortfall. The ballot involved 3,339 independent community pharmacies, representing a 64% turnout, highlighting the sector’s widespread concerns.
Key issues driving this potential service reduction include:
1. Significant funding cuts: Core government pharmacy funding in England has fallen by 40% since 2015-16 after adjusting for inflation.
2. Pharmacy closures: 700 pharmacies have shut in England over the past two years, averaging seven closures per week.
3. Increased operational costs: Recent increases in National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage have not been adequately supported by government funding.
If funding is not increased, pharmacies may implement several service reductions:
– Limiting opening hours to 40 hours per week
– Stopping free home medicine deliveries
– Discontinuing emergency contraception and substance misuse services
– Refusing certain data requests
– Stopping free monitored medicine dose systems
NPA chairman Nick Kaye emphasized the unprecedented nature of this potential action, stating, “Pharmacy owners are not a radical bunch. We have never proposed action like this before, but after a decade of underfunding and record closures, something simply has got to give.”
The Pharmacy First service, launched in January in England, which expanded chemists’ treatment capabilities, could also be impacted. While members are not being asked to withdraw from the scheme, reduced hours and limited services would affect its implementation.
Dr. Leyla Hannbeck from the Independent Pharmacies Association highlighted the sector’s crisis, noting that the £1.7 billion funding shortfall has been exacerbated by additional employer costs.
The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledged the challenges, stating they inherited a neglected system and are working to shift care focus from hospitals to community settings.
Scottish pharmacies, which operate under a separate system, are not involved in this current ballot.
The NPA is urgently calling for funding talks to guarantee patient safety and services for vulnerable populations. They stress that while pharmacies are committed to patient care, the current financial situation is unsustainable.
The potential service reductions represent a critical moment for community pharmacies, signaling the urgent need for governmental intervention to support these essential healthcare providers.
