Thousands of independent pharmacies across England are set to lose two vital services amid an ongoing funding row.
Free home deliveries and emergency contraception could be axed after pharmacies have been advised to slash services. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has recommended its 6,000 members take collective action for the first time in its history from April 1, saying it has “been left with little choice” if there is no sufficient package agreed with the government.
As well as the loss of two vital services, independent pharmacies have been advised by the NPA to slash their opening hours, meaning fewer will be open during evenings and at weekends.
Pharmacies are contracted to open for a minimum of 40 hours per week, but most stay open for 50 hours per week on average, according to the NPA.
Nick Kaye, chairman of the NPA, said: “We are advising our members to reduce their pharmacy opening hours or take other steps to limit costs in the short term, in order to safeguard patient services for the long term.
“This is not a step anyone of us wants to take, but we have been left with little choice because in just two weeks’ time new business costs will be hitting local NHS pharmacies across the country.
“It is better that we temporarily reduce access in the short term than to let pharmacies collapse altogether under the weight of unsustainable operating costs.”
The potential cuts come as the sector braces for hikes in employers’ National Insurance rates and a rise in the National Living Wage from April, following announcements in the autumn Budget.
The NPA says pharmacies are yet to receive any confirmation of funding for the 2024/25 or the 2025/26 financial years, and it is now recommending that its members cut their opening hours or services until a funding deal is agreed.
Mr Kaye added: “Pharmacies have shut in record numbers and those that are left are hanging on by their fingernails waiting for the delivery of a financial settlement that protects services on which millions of people rely.
“We hope that an offer from the government emerges by April 1 to cover the additional costs which pharmacies will face and start to plug the huge gap in funding created by 10 years of real terms cuts.
“If pharmacies do not get adequate funding, then patients risk losing access to their local pharmacy altogether, threatening their access to vital medicines and health services.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said it is “currently engaging” with the sector on a settlement, adding: “The National Pharmacy Association’s pre-emptive action will cause unnecessary disruption for patients and we urge them to reconsider.”
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