The ‘unprecedented challenges’ faced by community pharmacies will be spotlighted at a Westminster debate next week.

Conservative MP for Waveney Peter Aldous has secured a debate at Westminster Hall on the afternoon of Thursday 14 September on the ‘future of community pharmacies’.

Confirming the news, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) said this provided a ‘very good opportunity for MPs to raise the unprecedented challenges that pharmacies face’, including workforce, medicines supply and funding pressures.

CPE noted that it had been working with Mr Aldous’ office and that is had also briefed a number of MPs ahead of the debate.

The community pharmacy negotiator also urged Local Pharmaceutical Committees and pharmacy owners to encourage MPs to sign up to speak during the debate by writing an email to their local MP.

It said the event was ‘very timely’ as it coincided with the launch of a new report by The King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust – a ‘Vision for community pharmacy’ – which was commissioned by CPE and will be published on Tuesday 19 September.

It also comes amid an inquiry launched by the Health and Social Care Committee earlier this year to examine the ‘readiness’ of pharmacy services to meet demands and future opportunities.