NPA calls for cost of service inquiry in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland pharmacies should battle against funding cuts by conducting a cost of service inquiry, NPA chairman Bharat Patel (pictured) has said. It would be "unacceptable" to see pharmacies close because of cost-saving measures, Mr Patel told the NPA's triennial dinner on October 17.

"If the Northern Ireland administration has any intention to deprive communities of established and trusted community pharmacies on cost grounds, this is completely unacceptable," Mr Patel stressed. "What is need is a proper joint cost survey in Northern Ireland, to determine the true costs of service."

"Wise expenditure on pharmacy is in fact an investment in positive clinical outcomes and [makes] savings in other parts of the health and social care system," Mr Patel added.

The comments follow news that Northern Ireland pharmacies could see their income cut by a third in a government funding strategy. The proposals are being scrutinised in a judicial review, which will decide whether the cuts can be fairly implemented.

Belfast contractor Terry Maguire said the proposed funding strategy would "never create a rational pharmacy network". "Yes, it will bankrupt a number of pharmacy businesses, particularly those owned by independents who bought recently and who have substantial debt," he told C+D.

And it would also result in job losses, he argued: "With such severe cuts, every one of the 3,500 community pharmacy jobs we support will be scrutinised and some will clearly be lost."

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