𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Pharmacists are threatening to withhold services in a move that could cripple health services. They are locked in a battle with the Government over tax rises and a funding system which means they make a loss on many prescriptions. The war in Iran has placed them under even more pressure, by driving up the costs of medicines such as pain killers.

Options include suspending co-operation with a service called Pharmacy First, which is designed to reduce pressure on GPs by allowing patients get certain prescription medications directly from a pharmacy without seeing a doctor. It means the Department of Health faces the prospect of a new battle at the same time as resident doctors continue strike action.

Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association which represents 3,500 pharmacy branches, said: “Right now, the sector is at breaking point. Pharmacies are struggling to keep the doors open of the branches you rely on.”

She warned: “The financial pressures are relentless. Medicines supply issues are becoming more frequent, and prices are increasingly volatile. There are significant concerns that the war in the Middle East will exacerbate this further.”

A survey of Independent Pharmacies Association members found 97% believe community pharmacies must take action if the funding gap is not addressed.

Of these, more than half would consider limiting services including Pharmacy First, reducing home deliveries and lowering opening hours. One in three would consider closing their pharmacy altogether.

Pharmacists are calling for changes to the current funding system, in which they purchase drugs themselves and are then reimbursed by the NHS. They say they amount they are paid can be lower than the cost of the medicine, with outlets losing up to £1.70 if they supply a packet of aspirin to a customer.

The NHS may temporarily increase the fees it pays for medicines when the price goes up, but this can still leave pharmacies out of pocket for long periods.

Britain faced a medicines shortage even before the conflict in the Gulf, and aspirin was placed on an export ban list by the UK government in January. But around a third of Britain’s medicines come from India and the Iran war has disrupted global supply chains, leading to further shortages and price rises.

Pharmacists have also been hit by increases in business rates and the minimum wage driving up costs. In February, the Independent Pharmacies Association wrote to Health Secretary Wes Streeting to warn that two thirds are in danger of “imminent closure”, with owners “remortgaging their own homes or raiding pension pots” to stay open.

Last year more than 650 pharmacies closed in England and Wales.

Any withdrawal of services could add to pressures on the NHS as resident doctors continue industrial action. The British Medical Association is staging a six-day walkout from April 7 and the BMA says it has a strike mandate from members lasting six months.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Community pharmacies are a vital front door to the NHS, which is why this government has provided them with the largest funding uplift of any part of the NHS over the last two years – reaching a total of £3.1 billion for the dispensing of medicines and clinical services.

“We are currently consulting with Community Pharmacy England on funding arrangements for next year and we will continue to make sure hard-working pharmacists can offer patients more care closer to home as part of our 10 Year Health Plan.”