At least 280,000 people have lost their local pharmacy in the first eight months of this year, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has revealed.
NPA analysis of NHS data, published today, found that 51 high street pharmacies in England shut for good between January and the end of August due to “chronic underfunding”.
The body said the closures have hit “at least 280,000 patients”, the equivalent of a city the size of Newcastle upon Tyne.
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It added that 31, or three in five, of these pharmacies were part of the NHS Pharmacy Access Scheme, a programme providing additional funding to ensure access to pharmacy services in communities where there is no alternative nearby.
And it noted that in Penzance, the closure of a former Lloyds Pharmacy has left patients with a one-hour and 20-minute journey by public transport to access their nearest pharmacy on a Sunday, while in Bishops Lydeard in Somerset, a pharmacy closure has left patients with a one-hour and six-minute journey to their nearest alternative on weekends.
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The NPA said 1,500 pharmacies have closed since 2017, with almost 10 million people – around a fifth of England’s adult population - seeing their local pharmacy shut over that period.
It warned that the closures have “forced patients to travel significant lengths to access emergency prescriptions, as well as contraception and clinical advice”, and “risk putting pressure on other parts of the health system”.
The body also urged the government to “fundamentally reform the NHS’s contract with pharmacies” and called on it to close the £2bn funding gap facing pharmacies.
“Depressing”
NPA chair Olivier Picard called the figures “depressing” and said “we need to act to prevent the permanent closure of pharmacies becoming the new normal”.
“It is particularly concerning to see closures of pharmacies that have been singled out for additional support due to their importance to the patients that use them and the lack of available alternatives in those areas,” he added.
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Healthwatch interim director of policy and external affairs William Pett said the closures are a “real worry” and highlighted that the longer journeys patients are being forced to make is “particularly difficult for those with limited mobility or no access to transport”.
“It is no surprise that some people end up turning to other parts of the NHS when they cannot get the help they need in their community,” he added.
“A plan for the future sustainability of community pharmacies is essential so the public can rely on consistent access to medicines and advice.”
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It comes after NPA analysis last month revealed that 48% of pharmacies are considering closing their doors due to increased business rate bills.
And it follows chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy Sadik Al-Hassan urging the government earlier this month to “set out a road map for a six-year funding settlement of £600m” for the sector.
