Community pharmacy leaders across the sector have called for uplifted funding to stop pharmacy closures and ease pressures, stressing that the current arrangements are putting patient safety at risk.

This comes as the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) announced that 99% of participating pharmacy owners voted to limit their services unless funding is improved.

Pharmacy businesses 'left with no choice' but to take action

The sector's negotiator in England said that the results of the NPA ballot 'show just how deeply community pharmacies are feeling the pain of intolerable funding cuts, combined with ever-rising costs and workload'.

'Many businesses are already making impossible decisions and being left with no choice but to take some of the actions outlined, just to keep their doors open. Community pharmacies have much to offer – but only if the sector can be stabilised with an immediate funding uplift,' commented Janet Morrison, chief executive of Community Pharmacy England (CPE).

'Imperative' to restart contract negotiations 'without delay'

Chief executive of the Company Chemists' Association Malcolm Harrison agreed that the results of the NPA ballot 'underline the huge pressure that pharmacy contractors face, following a decade of underfunding'.

He added: 'It is imperative that CPCF renegotiations for 2024/25 commence without delay. The government and NHS must uplift all elements of the contractual framework, to stop further reductions in pharmacy opening hours and permanent pharmacy closures, and to ensure that patients can continue to receive the medicines and clinical care and advice they need.'

Community pharmacy facing 'escalating crisis'

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, also highlighted the 'escalating crisis' facing the sector, worsened by the recent budgetary increases that the IPA warned could cost the average community pharmacy an extra £12,000 a year.

She said that patients 'must not be caused suffering' by the withdrawal of services.

And she called for the government to 'urgently raise pharmacy funding to prevent further closures of community pharmacies'.

'We are awaiting a settlement and the results of that settlement will determine the next steps,' Dr Hannbeck said.

Patients need 'high quality, safe pharmacy services'

While the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) said it would not be appropriate for it to comment on the outcome of the  NPA ballot or contract negotiations, its chief executive noted that community pharmacists 'are experiencing unprecedented pressures in the workplace, including funding issues and concerns about pharmacy closures'.

Paul Bennett also urged pharmacy employers, national and local commissioners of pharmacy services and pharmacists 'to work together to ensure patients always receive access to high quality, safe pharmacy services'.

'The current situation is having a detrimental impact on patients'

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) also stressed that current community pharmacy funding and workload was having a 'detrimental impact' on patients.

Jay Badenhorst, PDA director of pharmacy, urged the national governments 'to take immediate action to prevent further erosion of pharmacy services and supports calls for an urgent review and uplift of funding to protect the future of community pharmacy services'.

'Patient safety should be a priority. The current situation is having a detrimental impact on patients and the jobs our members do, daily,' he said.

'The situation requires prompt and meaningful intervention from the government to safeguard these vital healthcare services. To fully deliver all that governments require from community pharmacy, funding needs to support increases in resources, not cuts.'

He noted that the PDA advocates for more than one pharmacist per pharmacy to enable all possible services to be delivered safely and effectively, adding that it would 'continue to advocate for conditions that ensure patient care remains safe, comprehensive and accessible to all'.

Pharmacies are sharing stories of 'overwhelming financial strain'

Harry McQuillan, Numark chair, said that members across the country, especially those in England, were 'sharing stories of overwhelming financial strain, and, sadly, some have had to close their doors for good'.

'Each closure leaves a gap in healthcare provision, impacting patients who rely on their local pharmacy for advice, care, and essential services,' he said.

'Independent community pharmacies need immediate, sustainable funding from the government to keep their doors open. Without action, more closures are inevitable, and the ripple effect on community healthcare will be profound,' he said.