An ongoing funding shortfall has left pharmacies in a ‘hole’ they are struggling to get out of, parliamentarians have been told as part of an event hosted by the Independent Pharmacies Association (IPA).

MPs and peers were also warned that Pharmacy First thresholds are 'unrealistic', while concerns were raised about the scheme's reliance on GP referrals.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, IPA chief executive, told The Pharmacist that she hoped the event, which was attended by more than 35 MPs, would increase support for the sector in parliament.

Funding shortfall must be addressed 'ASAP'

The IPA estimates the funding shortfall facing the community pharmacy sector to total around £1.2 billion.

And it has left many pharmacies in a situation where 'they haven't got the money to recruit,' Dr Hannbeck said.

'That has to be addressed. And if it's not addressed, then obviously, community pharmacy will not be able to get out of this hole that we are in at the moment,' she added.

Addressing MPs and peers at the event, contractors made the case for the sector's finances 'to be addressed ASAP', Dr Hannbeck said.

'We told them that GPs, dentists, even train drivers have all had their contracts reviewed, yet community pharmacy has not had any of that yet.

'Our contract expired, essentially, back in March, and we cannot have the same uplift that GPs and dentists have, because our funding has been stagnated for more than five years. Theirs has been going up with inflation, ours hasn't.

'There has got to be a review of that, and our funding needs to up accordingly, taking into consideration the inflation that we haven't been getting paid for,' Dr Hannbeck said.

Attendees also 'very much accepted that we are a key player in within the NHS and that our sector needs to get the respect and recognition that it deserves', Dr Hannbeck added.

Pharmacy is 'willing to support the NHS'

The IPA delegation shared what the pharmacy sector would be able to do if it were properly funded, Dr Hannbeck said.

'We've always been willing to get out there and support the NHS. And 90% of our activities, as independent pharmacies, are NHS activities,' she said.

Asking MPs to 'champion' community pharmacy

More than 35 MPs attended an event on Wednesday (4 September) , Dr Hannbeck said.

She added that the event was 'standing room only', with some attendees 'waiting in the corridor as there were not enough space'.

Attendees were a mixture of parliamentarians who had previously shown support for the sector, as well as new faces, and both MPs and members of the House of Lords, she noted.

Cross-party attendees included Labour MP for Easington Grahame Morris, Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay Richard Holden, Labour MP for Gower Tonia Antoniazzi, Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester Danny Chambers, Labour MP for Manchester Withington Jeff Smith, and Labour MP for Exeter Steve Race.

Dr Hannbeck said the timing of the event was 'strategic' and intended to inform MPs ahead of continuing discussions between NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care, and ministers about the future of community pharmacy funding.

'We were very pleased to see so many MPs showing interest,' Dr Hannbeck said.

'It was incredible.'

She added that attendees 'were all listening' and took away 'clear action points'.

'These MPs will be champions for us. They will go and tell other MPs: "I want you to go to listen to community pharmacy. We need to support them",' she said.

And Dr Hannbeck expressed hope that this would lead to greater engagement with other pharmacy events within parliament and other opportunities to engage with and act for the sector.