Some 7.9 % of brick-and-mortar pharmacies have closed in the last five years, according to data from the NHS’s Business Services Authority (NHSBSA).
In February 2021, there were 10,815 in person community pharmacies in the UK. That figure had dipped below 10,000 by April 2025, but the latest figures for February 2026 show a further fall to 9958.
Conversely, online pharmacies have seen a 19.5% increase since 2021, with February 2026 data showing 441 DSPs in the UK, as opposed to the 339 listed in 2021.
Read more: IN FULL: Number of pharmacies drops below 10,000 in 20-year first
There are signs of growth in smaller pharmacies, as a net of 36 small brick-and-mortar pharmacies have opened so far in 2026.
But medium sized businesses have seen the greatest decline in numbers, with a net of 31 closing in January and February.
And larger pharmacies also faced a net decrease in numbers, but at lower levels with 11 closing this year.
Read more: ‘Horrifying’: Pharmacy Access Scheme fails to prevent 58 closures
These figures follow a similar trend to October 2025, which saw small pharmacies growing, whereas medium and large business numbers decreased over the 12 months leading up to the end of September 2025.
