Family-owned pharmacies are increasingly shutting down in lower-income areas, leading to the emergence of “pharmacy deserts” across the country. An analysis by the National Pharmacy Association has identified the regions facing the greatest challenge in finding community pharmacists, with a total of 1,400 closures recorded since 2016. Data from the NHS pharmacy, adjusted for population density, indicates that three-quarters of the top 50 areas with high closure rates have above-average poverty levels.
Over the past three years, nearly 90% of council areas have witnessed the permanent closure of at least one pharmacy, a trend exacerbated by funding cuts for pharmacists imposed by the Tory government in 2016. Liverpool has been identified as the city most affected by pharmacy closures, closely followed by York. Other regions experiencing substantial closures include Blackpool, Wakefield, Coventry, and Kingston Upon Hull.
West Berkshire and Wokingham have been designated as the most underserved areas in terms of pharmacy access, with the lowest number of pharmacies per capita. Notably, nine out of ten council areas facing inadequate provision of community chemists are rural in nature.
The Mirror has launched a campaign to address the closure of family-owned pharmacies, which is placing additional strain on already overburdened General Practitioners. The National Pharmacy Association has warned that the pharmacy network in 2025 will reach its lowest point in two decades, with one in ten pharmacies shutting down over the past ten years.
Henry Gregg, the Chief Executive of the National Pharmacy Association, expressed concerns over declining access to essential medication and patient care, particularly in deprived communities with significant healthcare needs. The Labour party recently allocated £617 million over two years to the pharmacy sector, marking the first real funding increase since 2014 and supporting the expansion of the Pharmacy First scheme.
Under the Pharmacy First initiative, individuals with seven common conditions, including sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women, can directly consult with a pharmacist. Despite progress, Mr. Gregg emphasized the need for continuous government support to sustain and enhance these services.
The Pharmacy First scheme has successfully provided consultations for five million patients in England in its inaugural year, diverting them from GP appointments. NHS England is urging more patients to utilize this service, as it has proven effective in addressing common ailments, with sore throats being the most commonly treated condition through pharmacist consultations.
Approximately 2.4 million patients have benefited from walk-in consultations with pharmacists, facilitating easier access to healthcare services. Dr. Wendy Taylor, Health Chair at the Local Government Association, highlighted the challenges in accessing essential healthcare services in underserved communities, emphasizing the critical role pharmacies play as primary points of NHS contact, especially in deprived areas.