Pharmacy Funding

I am sympathetic to your concerns, however, as I am sure you are aware, our health service is under huge pressure. Despite a very significant increase in real terms funding, the number of people over 70 is set to increase by 10m over the next decade, increasing the pressure on the NHS.

The NHS CEO believes that with no extra funding, the NHS will cope but his view is predicated on securing £22bn in efficiency savings by 2020/21. There is hope that as part of that some savings can be made from pharmacies funding but there is no target in terms of closures. I have discussed this with the Secretary of State who is very aware of the benefit provided by pharmacies; aside from their role in the community, pharmacies take pressure away from A & E and GP’s surgeries. However in some, largely urban areas, there is a significant concentration of pharmacies – 40% of pharmacies are within a 10 minute walk of two other pharmacies. I hope that savings can be made without damaging proper local provision and what is a valuable service.

The Government is currently in discussions with the Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee on the 2016/17 funding settlement and is seeking views on how funding can be reformed. Changes are expected to commence in October 2016.