Pharmacy owners across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly to reduce opening hours and end home delivery services in protest over government funding.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents 6,500 community pharmacies, conducted the ballot, emphasizing the urgency of addressing a financial crisis that it claims threatens patient care.
The NPA is calling for a £1.7 billion annual increase to cover what it describes as a critical shortfall in funding. According to the association, 99% of respondents supported reducing hours unless more resources are allocated. Out of 3,339 participating pharmacies—a turnout of 64%—the message was clear: without immediate intervention, drastic action may be unavoidable.
Nick Kaye, Chairman of the NPA, expressed the collective frustration and desperation of pharmacy owners. "Pharmacy owners are not radical," he said. "We have never proposed action like this before. But after a decade of underfunding and record closures, something simply has got to give." In just the past two years, 700 pharmacies have closed in England, equivalent to seven closures per week, Kaye emphasized.
If the government fails to address these financial concerns, pharmacies may limit operations to a standard 40-hour week, halting evening and weekend services. Additionally, home delivery of medicines and support services, such as emergency contraception and assistance for substance misuse, could be cut. The proposal even includes refusing non-essential data requests and reducing the distribution of free medicine packs outside the scope of the Equality Act.
The potential changes could significantly affect the Pharmacy First initiative, a service launched in January 2024 in England, which expanded the role of pharmacists in treating ailments like sinusitis and earaches. Although the NPA has not yet asked members to pull out of this program, a reduction in hours and resources would inevitably impact it.
Pharmacies are facing a dire financial landscape exacerbated by rising National Insurance contributions and an increase in the National Living Wage, which have driven up staffing and operational costs.
Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacies Association, pointed out that the sector's funding shortfall has worsened with higher employer National Insurance costs, amounting to an average increase of £12,000 per pharmacy annually. Hannbeck urged the government to act immediately to avoid more closures and service cutbacks, emphasizing that patient safety could be compromised if pharmacies withdraw vital services.
According to the NPA, core government funding for pharmacies in England has fallen by 40% in real terms since 2015-2016. Pharmacy representatives argue that this prolonged funding decline has made the current situation untenable, leaving many businesses at risk of permanent closure.
Despite this, the Department of Health and Social Care remains hopeful. A spokesperson reiterated that community pharmacy will play a crucial role in the NHS's long-term plan to shift care from hospitals to local communities. "Unfortunately, we inherited a system that has been neglected for too long," the spokesperson noted, adding that reforms are underway to ensure sustainability.
An NHS representative also acknowledged the importance of pharmacies for community health and stated that discussions with the government are ongoing. The goal is to ensure that patients continue to receive high-quality care amid mounting financial pressures.
As pharmacies prepare for potential service reductions, the need for urgent dialogue between the NPA and government authorities becomes increasingly apparent. The vote underscores a critical juncture for the UK's healthcare infrastructure, as pharmacies strive to balance patient care with economic sustainability. The outcome of upcoming funding negotiations could determine the future of pharmacy services and the level of support available to millions of patients.