Strong support for pharmacy at Parliamentary event

Community Pharmacy England met with 50 MPs and parliamentary staff at the Houses of Parliament yesterday (Tuesday 11th March) to discuss the vital healthcare role that pharmacies play in local communities and how the critical pressures on community pharmacies are putting this at risk.

During the busy Westminster event MPs were asked to support the call to protect community pharmacies after learning about the sector’s financial crisis, including the ongoing pharmacy closures, and the impact that pharmacies are having locally through dispensing, Pharmacy First, vaccinations and other services.

Supported by pharmacy owners and LPC representatives, the Community Pharmacy England team talked to MPs about what needs to be done to stabilise community pharmacy and how to better utilise the untapped clinical potential of the sector. All MP attendees were provided with personalised briefings containing data on the prescriptions dispensed, services delivered, and pharmacy closures in their constituencies.

MPs in attendance also voiced their support for community pharmacy on social media, with many signing a cross-party letter urging the Secretary of State to address the sector’s challenges so it can help meet the Government’s wider objectives for the NHS.

[Click on the image below to enlarge]

This 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 aim to 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. 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