Ten pharmacies closing every week in England as 'perfect storm' causes death spiral: 'I cannot survive!'
Ten pharmacies closing every week in England
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Ten pharmacies closed every week, on average, in the first few months of the year, experts have warned.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said that between January and the end of April this year, some 177 pharmacies closed across England.
Moreover, according to new figures released by the NPA today, that trend is set to continue this year.
With an average of 10 closing each week, by the end of the year, the predicted figure could exceed 500 pharmacy closures.
The NPA’s Chief Executive, Paul Rees attributes the current state of affairs to a "perfect storm" of problems.
Pharmacists are urging the Government to provide support as they are beset by a 'perfect storm' of problems
Prestwich Pharmacy
He explained: “Community pharmacies face a perfect storm of rapidly declining levels of real terms government funding and high levels of inflation, which is both increasing the cost of dispensing medicine and pushing many community pharmacies to the brink.
“Government funding no longer covers the costs of the nation’s medicines, leaving pharmacies to subsidise the NHS from their own pockets.
“Without a real-terms increase in funding, pharmacies are being left with the choice of closing their doors or drastically reducing the service they can offer their local communities, making it more difficult for millions of people to get advice and vital medication.
“We need a new deal that delivers fair funding and provides an end to the mass closure of community pharmacies.”
This announcement will also come as a blow to Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, after he launched his Pharmacy First initiative in only January of this year.
The scheme aims to relieve pressure from overstretched NHS services - such as GP - by giving more power to pharmacies to treat common conditions patients may be suffering from.
However, with data revealing the volume of pharmacy closures across the UK, questions will now be asked about the effectiveness of this scheme.
Fin McCaul, Managing Director at Prestwich Pharmacy in Greater Manchester, told GB News that they want to be able to participate in Pharmacy First, but the government need to give them more support.
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Fin McCaul, Managing Director at Prestwich Pharmacy, fears for the survival of his business
Prestwich Pharmacy
He said: “`We’re doing 30 percent more work… we’re doing a 30 percent bigger volume in prescriptions, we’re buying more expensive drugs. My staff costs have gone up hugely - just this year alone, it’s gone up £50,000… but I’ve had no increase in income from the NHS services.
“I’ve got to be more efficient but do stuff for less money… I cannot survive.”
David Fothergill, public health spokesperson for the Local Government Association, added: “Pharmacies have an important place in our local economy. They are vital to ensuring diverse and vibrant high streets, which can otherwise be dominated by betting shops, fast food outlets and coffee shops. Losing our pharmacies could leave gaps in high streets that may never been filled.”
A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care has said that the government are now in the process of consulting on the funding and contract arrangements for pharmacies for 2024/25.
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