Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Medicine Supply Chain: Community Pharmacies

Tuesday 17 June 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Friend thanked for expertise in community pharmacy and acknowledged impact of medicine shortages on patients.
  • Minister addressed concerns over national insurance increases and supply chain issues threatening pharmacy viability.
  • Minister discussed potential higher US pharmaceutical prices and their impact on constituents and trade negotiations.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sadik Al-Hassan Lab North Somerset
NHS
Context

The MP highlights his long-term experience in community pharmacies and the impact of medicine shortages on patients and pharmacies in North Somerset. He mentions a specific inquiry by an all-party parliamentary group.

Question

Having worked in community pharmacies for nearly 20 years, I have witnessed at first hand the pain that medicine shortages can cause North Somerset patients and their loved ones. Will the Minister meet me, along with my hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Steve Race) and other members of the all-party parliamentary group on pharmacy, to discuss the outcome of our inquiry into these shortages?

Answer from The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)

I congratulate my hon. Friend and constituency neighbour on his dedicated career in community pharmacy, and thank him for the expertise that he brings to the work of the all-party parliamentary group to help Members understand the impact of this issue on patients and pharmacies. I am planning to hold a parliamentary event on the subject in the autumn, and I am keen to work with the APPG to make it a success for all Members.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to a specific meeting as requested by the MP. Instead, she mentioned an upcoming parliamentary event which is less direct than what was asked.

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Q2 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
NHS
Context

The MP raises concerns about the long-term viability of community pharmacies in his constituency, highlighting issues such as supply chain problems and national insurance increases. He references a review mentioned by the Minister.

Question

Supply chain problems are just one of the many issues that are having an impact on community pharmacies. My local pharmacy in Noak Bridge is one of them, but it is also being hammered with national insurance increases, and the combination of these issues means that its long-term viability is at stake. Will the review that the Minister has mentioned include all the impacts on community pharmacies that are affecting their long-term viability?

Answer from The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)

The long-term viability of pharmacies and, indeed, the whole NHS was under threat from the right hon. Gentleman and his party, but thanks to this Government, it is being made fit for the future. This is a serious issue for all our constituents, and we want to make the system work better. The right hon. Gentleman will see from the 10-year plan that we will make the NHS fit for his constituents, mine and those of every other Member.

Not addressed: The Minister did not address whether the review would include all impacts on pharmacies' long-term viability as requested. Instead, she defended her party's record and referred to a 10-year plan.

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Q3 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
NHS Business & Trade
Context

The MP expresses concern about trade negotiations with the US and the potential impact on community pharmacies. She mentions specific figures regarding higher prices for pharmaceuticals.

Question

Across the country, community pharmacies struggle not only with supply chain problems but with dispensing some of the critical medicines for our constituents at a loss. I was concerned to read that higher prices for United States pharmaceuticals are on the table for the next stage of trade negotiations with Donald Trump, because an additional £1.5 billion would cost both the NHS and our community pharmacies dear. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that the NHS, and the vital medicine supply on which we rely, will not be used as a bargaining chip in a trade deal with a highly unreliable US President?

Answer from The Minister for Secondary Care (Karin Smyth)

The hon. Lady has asked an important question about the pharmaceutical industry, which is key to the country’s growth mission and to supporting all our constituents and the entire country. As we know, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is currently attending the G7 summit. We have good relationships with America, and the Department is working closely across Government to ensure that the same stability of supply remains for our constituents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specific steps being taken to prevent the NHS from being compromised in trade negotiations. She highlighted existing good relationships with America but did not address the specifics of how stability of supply would be maintained.

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