Some 48% of pharmacies are considering closing their doors due to increased business rate bills, according to new analysis from the National Pharmacy Association (NPA).
The survey of 420 pharmacies found that 55% are considering relocating to save money, while 92% are prevented from investing in new services, their workforce, or premises improvements due to the rising cost of rates.
Read more: Sector slams pharmacy’s exclusion from business rates support
The NPA reports that some pharmacy owners have seen their business rates triple, with 44 closing down entirely this year.
Pharmacies were excluded from newly announced business rate relief to clubs, pubs and live music venues.
The NPA highlighted that “pharmacies receive the bulk of their income from the NHS, meaning they can’t flex their prices to meet increased costs”, and warned of the NHS 10 Year Plan being put in jeopardy if pharmacy rates aren’t reformed.
“Linchpins of their high streets”
NPA chair Olivier Picard described the survey results as “alarming” and called pharmacies the “linchpins of their high streets”.
“Pharmacies not only provide vital health services but are key to unlocking local economic growth,” he added.
“The government must stop pharmacy closures and provide business rates support, allowing pharmacies to invest in new services to patients and to flourish.”
Read more: Conservatives suggest ’100% business rates relief’ for retailers
The survey comes after previous calls by the NPA for pharmacy business rate exemptions following last year’s changes to the National Living Wage.
Another survey conducted by the NPA in June 2025 revealed that wage changes had created additional pressure for 90% of pharmacies, with 66% of respondents being forced to reduce opening hours and staff.
