UK Pharmacies Threaten to Cut Hours Over NHS Funding Crisis

Independent pharmacies across England are facing the prospect of slashing their opening hours unless the government commits to “new and sufficient” funding, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) warns. For the first time in its history, the NPA has recommended collective action among its 6,000 members to prevent the collapse of vital community pharmacy services.

The Funding Dilemma

Approximately 90% of a typical pharmacy’s workload is funded by the NHS, covering essential services such as medication dispensing and vaccinations. However, the NPA reports that its members have yet to receive confirmation of NHS funding for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years. This funding uncertainty comes alongside increased costs from rising employer national insurance rates, the national living wage, and business rates—pressures that, the NPA argues, threaten patient safety and pharmacy viability.

Since 2017, around 1,300 pharmacies have ceased operations, a stark indicator of the crisis’s depth. With these financial strains, the NPA fears further closures, with many pharmacies struggling to maintain current service levels.

Proposed Collective Action

In a ballot conducted in November 2024, about 3,300 independent pharmacies participated—a 63% turnout—highlighting widespread concern in the sector. The NPA advises its members to consider reducing opening hours, particularly in evenings and on weekends, and cutting services like free home deliveries, emergency contraception, smoking cessation, and addiction support unless funding issues are resolved.

Nick Kaye, chair of the NPA, stresses the necessity of this difficult decision: “It is better that we temporarily reduce access in the short term than let pharmacies collapse altogether under the weight of unsustainable operating costs.” Kaye calls on the government to deliver a financial settlement by April 1, aiming to bridge the funding gap resulting from a decade of real-term cuts.

Impact on Patient Care

Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, warns that without immediate action, the acceleration of pharmacy closures will severely impact patient care. Hannbeck highlights the critical role pharmacies play in the healthcare system, including relieving pressures on GP practices and hospitals by providing accessible, community-based care.

Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, echoes these concerns, urging the government to act promptly. “The consequences of this failure are now painfully apparent,” Morgan states, emphasizing the importance of pharmacies in providing daily prescriptions and essential health services.

Government Response and Future Outlook

The Department of Health and Social Care acknowledges the challenges facing community pharmacies and is engaged in discussions to develop a settlement aimed at ensuring the sector’s sustainability. A department spokesperson highlights the government’s commitment to shifting NHS care focus from hospitals to communities, underscoring the need to support pharmacies as integral components of community healthcare.

Despite this engagement, the NPA’s pre-emptive call for collective action signals a sector on the brink. The threat of reduced access to pharmacy services could lead to increased pressure on hospitals and GPs, exacerbating challenges in primary care and delaying access to medications and other critical health services.

The Broader Implications

Community pharmacies serve as healthcare access points, particularly in underserved or rural areas, where they often represent the most accessible health service. Reduced hours or closures would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including the elderly, low-income individuals, and those with chronic health conditions.

The potential reduction in services such as smoking cessation and addiction support could lead to long-term public health repercussions, including higher rates of smoking-related illnesses and substance misuse. Similarly, limited access to emergency contraception could impact sexual health outcomes, further straining healthcare services.

The NPA urges the government to deliver a sustainable funding solution promptly, avoiding disruptions to pharmacy services and safeguarding public health. The association stresses that while short-term access reductions may be necessary, the alternative—widespread pharmacy closures—would have far more severe consequences.

As negotiations continue, the situation remains precarious. Stakeholders across the healthcare system, including patients, pharmacists, and policymakers, await decisive government action to ensure the continued availability of community pharmacy services across England and Wales.