Insight from inside Community Pharmacy
Pharmacies provided financial data to inform a report commissioned by NHS England and conducted by IQVIA and Frontier Economics. You can read the full report here: Economic Analysis of the Pharmacy Sector .
Key Findings
The report found that the UK Government is underfunding community pharmacies by over £3 billion. This underfunding has been acknowledged by the government as a significant economic pressure on the sector, leading to outcomes such as:
- A net closure of 440 pharmacies in England for the year ending June 2024
- A 4% decline in available pharmacies in NHS England
- Reduced opening hours
- Pharmacy closures
Pharmacy operators say remaining pharmacies are under increased pressure to serve more patients without having the funding to increase and train staff.
How This Affects Patients
Reduced Access to Medicines and Advice
Fewer local pharmacies mean longer travel times or more difficulty in reaching a pharmacy, especially for elderly, disabled or rural patients. Reduced opening hours also limit when people can collect prescriptions or seek urgent over-the-counter advice.
Delays in Treatment
With more patients using fewer pharmacies, queues and waiting times increase. Delays in getting medications can worsen health conditions or delay recovery.
Increased Pressure on GPs and Hospitals
Pharmacies often handle minor ailments. If they close, more patients will visit GPs or emergency departments, increasing NHS workload and waiting times.
Health Inequalities
Closures often affect deprived areas most. People in these communities may have less ability to travel, leading to poorer health outcomes and widening health inequalities.
Continuity of Care Risks
Patients who rely on trusted local pharmacists for medication reviews, chronic disease support or lifestyle advice may lose continuity in their care.
Summary
Government funding policies directly affect the availability, accessibility and quality of community pharmacy services. Underfunding leads to closures, which create barriers for patients, increase pressure on other parts of the healthcare system and contribute to poorer health outcomes.