Around 3,000 pharmacies 'could limit services' from January

The National Pharmacy Association is urging the government to urgently increase funding to contractors or it will recommend that members take 'collective action' in early 2025..

The NPA said this week that 99% of members who took part in its ballot were prepared to limit services in protest at funding shortfalls. This could mean not opening in the evenings or weekends, withdrawing free home deliveries of medicines, withdrawing from locally commissioned services like emergency contraception, or not supplying free monitored dose systems.

“Pharmacies don’t want to reduce services but we will be left with no option but to suggest that pharmacy owners should consider acting on the clear ballot results if government does not act to protect this vital and much-loved part of our health service, " said NPA chair Nick Kaye.

Healthwatch England commented as follows:
"We understand that pharmacies are frustrated with the level of funding they get to meet the needs of NHS patients.
“Our own research highlights that community pharmacies face multiple pressures, including temporary closures, staff shortages, and shortages of certain medications. Those issues are having huge impacts on people across England, particularly older people and those living in rural areas where they already have to travel further to visit their pharmacist.
“It's important that patients are aware that no 'work to rule' action or any withdrawal of extra services that pharmacies provide, has been agreed at this stage. We urge the government to work with the pharmacy sector to address the existing challenges and agree a way forward.”