The government has urged pharmacies to work with ministers to achieve 'a service fit for the future', following a vote by pharmacy owners in favour of collective action.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it was 'committed to working with the sector and would encourage all pharmacists to work with us'.

This comes as the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) today revealed its members had voted in favour of work-to-rule style action from January if a sustainable funding offer is not made before then.

More than 60% of NPA independent pharmacy owner members took part, representing around a third of the total community pharmacy network.

Potential action could see opening hours reduce and pharmacies stop providing services that they do not receive funding for.

In response to the NPA's ballot results indicating that pharmacy owners want to take action, a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) spokesperson said: 'Community pharmacy has a vital role to play as we move the focus of care from hospital to the community under the fundamental reforms in our 10 Year Health Plan.

'Unfortunately, we inherited a system that has been neglected for too long and is no longer supporting the pharmacists we need to deliver for patients at a local level.

'We are committed to working with the sector and would encourage all pharmacists to work with us to achieve what we all want – a service fit for the future.'

Paul Rees, NPA chief executive, told The Pharmacist yesterday that pharmacy owners were feeling increasing 'anger and desperation' about their ability to provide patient services.

NHS work makes up 95% of an average independent pharmacy's income and workload, according to the NPA.

But dispensing volumes and services have increased alongside a real terms cut in funding since 2019 and rising wage and overheads costs, including those outlined in the recent budget.

In particular, Mr Rees highlighted that for the last six months, community pharmacies in England have been providing NHS services on the basis of a contract that was agreed in 2019 and expired in April, with no new contract for the current financial year yet in place.

'With every passing day without there being a deal, members will be that much more enthusiastic about taking action,' he told The Pharmacist.