Pharmacies ‘hanging on by fingernails’ over financial pressures, leaders warn

Pharmacists are facing a “financial cliff edge” and will cut services for patients unless the Government provides funding, leaders have warned.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents 6,000 independent community pharmacies, said it would recommend that its members take collective action – such as cutting opening hours – if a new funding is not announced by the Government “imminently”.

According to the NPA, the effect of National Insurance and National Living Wage rises will mean pharmacies in England face £250 million of unplanned costs come April.

Unlike other businesses, pharmacies are unable to increase their prices in order to meet these rises, it said, plus they face rising business rates.

The NPA said around 90% of an average pharmacy’s work is funded via the NHS, including supplying drugs and providing vaccines.

Some 99.7% of pharmacies who voted in the NPA’s ballot said they would be prepared to take collective action for the first time in their history if their funding situation did not improve.

Nick Kaye, chairman of the organisation, said: “Pharmacies face a financial cliff edge at the beginning of April, with a triple whammy of rising National Insurance, National Living Wage and business rates all arriving at once.

“At the moment, they still have no certainty if any of these costs will be met by the Government, despite assurances for other parts of the health system including our GP colleagues.

“Pharmacies have shut in record numbers and those that are left are currently hanging on by their fingernails.

“They are growing increasingly concerned about their future. Without imminent funding certainty from the Government we may be left with little choice but to recommend collective action to ensure pharmacies can survive for the patients who rely on them.”

The Department of Health has been contacted for comment.

Published: 24/02/2025 by Radio NewsHub