Parliamentarians urge Government action to support community pharmacies in letter to Health Secretary
20 parliamentarians have signed a letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, calling for urgent government action to safeguard the future of community pharmacies.
Supported by Community Pharmacy England, the cross-party letter describes the financial challenges facing the sector and calls on the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and NHS England (NHSE) to prioritise long-term planning for pharmacies, including implementation of the Community Pharmacist Prescribing Service.
Spiralling costs and a 30% real term funding cut since 2015 mean too many community pharmacies are struggling to stay afloat. With two-thirds operating at a loss and a myriad of operational pressures, patients are facing longer prescription dispensing times and delays in responding to their inquiries, reducing access to vital community healthcare services.
Sent ahead of the Autumn Budget, the letter was coordinated by Peter Dowd MP following a briefing for MPs and Peers at an event in Parliament hosted by Community Pharmacy England.
Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Community Pharmacy England, said:
“I am pleased to see 20 cross-party parliamentarians coming together to call for urgent action, recognising the vital role that pharmacies play in the local community. Immediate Government intervention is crucial to ensure the survival of the sector and to maximise their potential in providing accessible care. Right now community pharmacy is on the verge of a house of cards style collapse, but it has so much to offer if it is put on a sustainable footing. We are ready to take forward discussions on the future: pharmacy needs answers on the contractual framework for this year and to be in a position to plan for the future.”
Peter Dowd, Labour MP for Bootle, said:
“Community pharmacies are a fantastic resource that we simply cannot afford to lose. They are a lifeline for people across the country, providing essential services and taking pressure off GPs and hospitals. With the right support and funding, community pharmacies can play a crucial role in fixing our broken NHS by offering convenient and accessible local healthcare.”
