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.
Last year there were 403 pharmacy closures across the country – compared with 91 in 2022, according to analysis of official NHS data by the NPA, which represents independent community pharmacies in the UK.
The association said that without a real-terms increase to funding for pharmacies, many will have no option but to close for good.
The Government said it is consulting on the funding and contract arrangements for pharmacies for 2024/25.
The news on closures will come as a blow to ministers after they launched their flagship Pharmacy First scheme – which gives pharmacists more powers to treat patients for a number of common conditions.
It is hoped the initiative will ease pressure on overstretched GPs.
Sinusitis? If needed, your pharmacist can now provide treatment and some prescription medicine without seeing a GP.
Think pharmacy first.
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— NHS (@NHSuk) May 10, 2024
NPA chief executive Paul Rees said: “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.
Our latest data finds that just 1 in 5 people aged 18-40 would visit their local pharmacy first for advice with a minor illness.
Don’t wait for minor health concerns to get worse – speak to your pharmacist to get expert advice straight away. #HelpUsHelpYou pic.twitter.com/jmHFONkrM4
— NHS (@NHSuk) February 27, 2023
“We need a new deal that delivers fair funding and provides an end to the mass closure of community pharmacies.”
Louise Ansari, chief executive of Healthwatch England said: “The increase in pharmacy closures in England is concerning. People tell us what an essential source pharmacies are for advice, diagnosis and getting minor health issues treated. They also help in reducing the pressure on GPs.
“When a pharmacy closes, it impacts communities, especially older people who are the most regular users and those who don’t have the means to travel to a pharmacy that is further away.
“The pharmacy sector and healthcare system must work together to provide the service people need.”
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 Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “More than four in five people live within a 20-minute walk of a pharmacy, and there are twice as many pharmacies in deprived areas, making access to care quicker and more convenient.
“We have made up to £645 million of new funding available over two years to support the expansion of community pharmacy services, including Pharmacy First, which comes on top of the £2.6 billion a year pharmacies already receive.
“We are also consulting with Community Pharmacy England on the funding and contract arrangements for 2024/25.”