Community pharmacy bodies urge prime minister to resolve sector’s fund crisis

The community pharmacy bodies, along with England’s largest pharmacy chains, have urged the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak to resolve fund and workforce crisis
in the sector.

In the joint letter the Chief Executives of Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies (AIMp), Company Chemists’ Association (CCA), National Pharmacy Association
(NPA) and Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC), along with Boots, Lloydspharmacy, Well and Rowlands Pharmacy, said they are pleased to see Government
now recognising the key role that community pharmacy’ could have in alleviating the strain on other NHS services.

However, the associations also warn that although the sector is ready to support, ‘this will not be possible unless pharmacy is properly funded.’

Janet Morrison, PSNC Chief Executive, said: “The Prime Minister should also know that community pharmacies are also facing a crisis. They need sustainable investment,
urgently, if we are to avoid devasting consequences for pharmacies and for their patients.”

The letter calls on Government to help pharmacy to resolve the funding, workforce and capacity issues engulfing the sector. It said: “Community pharmacies are in
crisis and after 7 years of 30% funding cuts have reached their limit.”