MPs get latest local pharmacy data at Parliamentary event

Community Pharmacy England met with MPs and Parliamentary staff at the Houses of Parliament earlier this week (Monday 8th September 2025) to discuss the opportunities and challenges for the future of community pharmacy.

During the Westminster event, MPs were asked to support the call for a sustainably funded community pharmacy sector after hearing about the serious pressures they are under, coupled with the sector’s growing role and potential in providing more support for patients, if they are supported to do so.

Together with pharmacy owners and LPC representatives, the Community Pharmacy England team spoke to MPs about the potential service-based future for pharmacies as well as the financial and operational pressures they are continuing to face. All 27 attendees were provided with personalised briefings containing data on the prescriptions dispensed, services delivered, and pharmacy closures in their constituencies. Follow-ups are being made with a further 30+ MPs who had also indicated their interest.

MPs in attendance voiced their support for community pharmacy, with many also signing a cross-party letter welcoming the upcoming national pharmacy service expansions and urging the Minister to make progress on the Government’s promise to deliver a sustainably funded community pharmacy sector.

Community Pharmacy England’s influencing and campaigning work

The MP drop-in event was part of Community Pharmacy England’s long-term strategic influencing programme, which is building Parliamentary and wider support for community pharmacy. We host briefing events like this every six months to ensure that MPs have access to the latest local data and information on an ongoing basis.

This autumn we will be running a series of panels, roundtables and a reception to engage with politicians and health policy influencers at the main party conferences. Key events are being organised with the help of Re:State (formerly Reform think tank) and Pharmacy Minister Stephen Kinnock is scheduled to appear at the Labour Conference panel event.

Pharmacy owners and LPCs can support this work using the guidance and resources available in the engaging with MPs section of our website or by contacting comms.team@cpe.org.uk.