Family-owned pharmacies are increasingly shutting down in low-income areas, leading to the emergence of “pharmacy deserts” across the country. Recent analysis by the National Pharmacy Association has identified the regions most affected by the closure of community pharmacies, with a staggering 1,400 closures recorded since 2016. Data from the NHS indicates that three-quarters of the top 50 areas with the highest pharmacy closures have above-average poverty levels.
Nearly 90% of council areas have witnessed the permanent closure of at least one pharmacy in the last three years, with a significant number of closures occurring following funding cuts for pharmacists by the Conservative government in 2016.
Liverpool has been identified as the city most impacted by pharmacy closures, closely followed by York. Other areas including Blackpool, Wakefield, Coventry, and Kingston Upon Hull also rank among the top ten council areas experiencing pharmacy closures since October 2022.
West Berkshire has been flagged as a “pharmacy desert,” with the lowest pharmacy-to-population ratio, followed by Wokingham. Notably, nine out of ten council areas with the lowest provision of community pharmacies are in rural regions.
The Mirror has launched a campaign to preserve family-owned pharmacies and halt the closure trend, which is adding strain to already overburdened general practitioners. The National Pharmacy Association warns that by 2025, the pharmacy network will be at its weakest point in two decades, with one in ten pharmacies closing in the past ten years.
Henry Gregg, the chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, expressed concern over the deteriorating access to essential medication and care for patients, particularly in deprived communities facing the brunt of recent pharmacy closures.
The Labour party recently allocated £617 million over two years for the pharmacy sector, marking the first significant funding increase since 2014. This investment is tied to the expansion of the Pharmacy First scheme, allowing individuals with common ailments such as sinusitis, sore throat, earache, and others to consult directly with pharmacists.
Despite some progress, Mr. Gregg emphasized the need for ongoing government support beyond the initial funding boost. The Pharmacy First scheme has already benefited five million patients in England, diverting them from GP appointments for minor ailments.
NHS England leaders are encouraging more patients to utilize the initiative, emphasizing that pharmacists can address common ailments effectively. Sore throat consultations have been particularly popular, with 836,000 patients opting for this service in the scheme’s first year.
Approximately 2.4 million patients have availed walk-in consultations with their pharmacists, without the need for prior appointments. Dr. Wendy Taylor of the Local Government Association highlighted the concerning implications of limited access to healthcare services, especially in deprived communities, underscoring the vital role pharmacies play as accessible points of contact with the NHS.