The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, has joined local Surrey residents in protesting the potential closure of a local Boots pharmacy.

Mr Hunt, who was the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care between 2012 and 2018, has added his name to two local petitions against the potential closure of a Boots pharmacy in Farncombe, in his constituency of South West Surrey.

He described the pharmacy as a ‘very important local asset’, saying that many of his constituents had been in touch to share ‘how they rely on the local dispensary and the excellent service provided by the in-store pharmacists’.

‘Its loss would be felt considerably, especially by the elderly and less mobile in our community,’ he added.

He confirmed that he had signed both local petitions set up to protest the potential closure, as well as writing to Sebastian James, CEO of Boots ‘to ask if, given the strength of local feeling, Boots may reconsider this decision.’

Gareth Jones, director of corporate affairs at the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said that while Jeremy Hunt was protesting one local closure as a constituency MP, ‘as Chancellor of the Exchequer he can intervene to address underfunding across England to prevent hundreds more pharmacy closures, including many independent pharmacies’.

Mr Jones added: ‘Although he is only one of numerous decision-makers, he holds a position of significant influence in relation to the future of our sector.’

Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England, said that the ‘show of support’ from the Chancellor for the local pharmacy ‘provides a glimmer of hope’ as the negotiator campaigns for sustainable funding for the sector.

She added: ‘Government and the NHS must take action to reverse the damage that their historic funding cuts are causing.’

And she said that it was ‘always moving’ to hear stories about how important local pharmacies are to their communities and the patients who rely upon them.

‘Pharmacies of all shapes and sizes across the country are facing tough decisions about their financial viability,’ she said.

'As larger chains announce closures and consolidations to support the rest of their portfolio, smaller and medium-sized businesses are having to look at other options in the struggle to make ends meet: running a community pharmacy remains, for most, a battle for survival,’ Ms Morrison added.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies, commented: 'There are hundreds of villages and townships across the U.K. whose plight will sadly follow the demise of their local pharmacy brining despairs and unimaginable hardships for young families and the elderly alike.

And she said that 'community pharmacies are part of the fabric of people’s lives' and 'desperately require' immediate action to stabilise the situation.

She added that she welcomed the 'token intervention by the chancellor Jeremy Hunt on signing the petition', which she said 'brings closer to home home' the consequences of government policies.

The Pharmacist has approached the government and Boots for comment.