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Pharmacies in Yeovil provide over 6,700 prescriptions per month and have saved at least 556 GP appointments since the launch of Pharmacy First this year. The lack of investment and rise in national insurance contributions threaten pharmacy services.
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To make the shift from hospital to community care, the Government must not only stem the loss of pharmacies but also build them up.
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Drug tariffs strain our pharmacists and an uplift is long overdue. We need to highlight that financial shortfall to the Government and address it immediately.
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Community pharmacies are vital for supporting the NHS and communities, but underfunding, medication shortages, and workforce reductions have caused significant issues. The south-west has lost over 300,000 hours of pharmacy care annually due to reduced opening times and permanent closures.
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Community pharmacies provide many benefits but are in danger because pharmacists are not reimbursed even for the cost of prescription drugs. The Minister needs to address this issue specifically.
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She agreed with her colleague that it is urgent to revise the funding model for prescriptions so that pharmacies, particularly those in GP surgeries, can survive. She mentioned recent closures of pharmacies in two major GP surgeries in her constituency due to financial difficulties.
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In addition to issues with drug costs, the funding model for providing other pharmacy services needs addressing, including the Pharmacy First approach to avoiding GP appointments.
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He emphasised the importance of community pharmacies in providing care and vaccinations during winter crises, noting that NHS funding models are not working for these businesses. He highlighted the strain on pharmacists who struggle to remain open due to financial pressures and the need for greater investment in primary healthcare.
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Community pharmacies in West Dorset face mounting challenges, including financial pressures and workforce shortages. The constituency is served by only 18 active pharmacies for a population of more than 100,000. A survey found that three quarters of pharmacy team members reported shop staff shortages, and nearly all respondents—92%—struggled to cope with the pressure.
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In Northern Ireland, an additional £15 million has been set aside for community and GP pharmacies beyond April 2027. The Government needs to invest accordingly to achieve the same in England.
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Suggested community hospitals as potential venues for new pharmacies to act as a one-stop shop where people can access healthcare and advice, highlighting the need to widen discussion beyond just stemming the loss of pharmacies.
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He highlighted the role of community pharmacies in saving over 38 million GP appointments annually. He raised concerns about delays in negotiations for the community pharmacy contractual framework, which affects funding and could jeopardize future ambitions. Evans also questioned the impact of increased national insurance contributions and the living wage on pharmacies, noting that these burdens have intensified anger among pharmacy owners. Additionally, he asked about mitigations planned to address financial impacts and sought clarification on actions promoting Pharmacy First services across different regions.
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He expressed concern about the closure of nine pharmacies in Devon over the last two years, leaving the county with just 133 pharmacies. He noted that these closures were due to financial pressures on pharmacies, including stagnant NHS income and rising costs such as energy bills and wages. He highlighted the crucial role of pharmacies in providing consultations which prevent health conditions from deteriorating and reduce strain on the NHS.
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Over two decades working in community pharmacies, the MP witnessed a decline caused by Brexit and funding cuts. He highlighted a 40% reduction in real terms due to a decade of frozen funding settlements, exacerbating medicine shortages and supply chain issues. The hub-and-spoke model is essential for increasing efficiency and expanding Pharmacy First services. Congratulated the hon. Member for South East Cornwall on their birthday.
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Community pharmacies face large funding gaps, with the rate of pharmacy closure in Glastonbury and Somerton nearly double the national average. I agree that the Government should commit to publishing the independent economic analysis commissioned by NHS England when it is concluded. Called for an urgent exemption of pharmacies, GPs, and dentists from employer national insurance contributions to prevent damage to the sector.
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The MP highlighted the crisis in primary care due to national operating framework 4, which has increased pressures on pharmacists. With an older population and fewer prevention opportunities, Torbay lost seven pharmacists recently, leading to higher pressure on remaining ones. The NHS spend on support for pharmacists dropped from 2.4% to 1.6%, moving away from the prevention agenda.
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Community pharmacies have a huge amount of potential to support patients with various services, which aligns with the NHS ten-year plan to move more care into the community and help prevent ill health.
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Pharmacists in Mid Dorset and North Poole face issues such as price discrepancies between what they charge and what they receive from the NHS, leading to financial difficulties. There is also a shortage of essential medications for various conditions.