Norman Lamb said community pharmacies “are essential to the NHS” and to maintaining the “high quality care” that is provided by pharmacists to their communities.

“Liberal Democrats welcome the growing use of pharmacists in GP practices and the role they can play in alleviating pressure from GP surgeries and hospitals,” he added.

The Liberal Democrats pledged last week (May 6) to invest an extra £6 billion per year into the NHS and social care system, funded by an immediate 1p rise on all rates of income tax.

The funding would be ring-fenced to provide “vital services”, the party said.

Labour non-committal

The Labour party told C+D that community pharmacy is "likely" to be mentioned in its manifesto, but could not "confirm any specifics at this time".

The pharmacy bodies told C+D last month they are working together to advise pharmacy teams during the election, and last week produced resources to "help pharmacists engage in the political process".

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