Pharmacies in England plan protest over funding issues

Community pharmacies in England are preparing for possible protests if a new funding agreement is not reached with the government. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has advised about 6,000 community pharmacies to "work to rule" starting in two weeks. This means pharmacies may limit their hours to 40 a week, as allowed in their current contract. They may also cut services like home medicine deliveries and support for addiction or smoking cessation. The decision comes due to a lack of confirmation about funding for the current and next financial year. The government said that this could disrupt patient care, but negotiations with pharmacies are ongoing. Typically, the NHS contract provides around 90% of a pharmacy's income. Rising costs from National Insurance, the National Living Wage, and business rates have added to the financial pressure on pharmacies, prompting fears for their futures. Since the beginning of the year, 30 pharmacies have already closed due to funding cuts over the last decade. Nick Kaye, the chair of the NPA, expressed that pharmacies had "little choice" but to consider these actions. He noted it could be better to reduce access temporarily rather than let pharmacies fail completely. The Department of Health and Social Care highlighted the important role pharmacies play in the community as healthcare moves away from hospitals. They urged pharmacies to reconsider any disruptions. Healthwatch England echoed this concern, noting that closures and staff shortages have particularly affected older patients and those in rural areas. While many pharmacies may follow the NPA's advice, not all are members of the organization. There are approximately 10,500 pharmacies in England, according to Community Pharmacy England. Each pharmacy will decide how to handle the potential cuts in services.