Numerous pharmacies may cease evening and weekend operations in the coming year following a vote by owners advocating for unified action for the first time.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) indicated that its members are not eager to reduce services but feel they have “no choice” if the government fails to boost funding.
Additionally, some pharmacies might withdraw deliveries, consultations, and emergency contraception if an agreement cannot be achieved.
The remuneration pharmacies receive for the medications they provide for the NHS is established by the government.
The NPA noted that this payment has not been adjusted for the last decade.
Approximately 700 pharmacies have closed across England in the past two years, with a total of 1,250 closures over the last ten years.
Pharmacies are contracted for 40 hours each week, yet on average, they operate for 50 hours, as per the NPA.
More than 3,300 independent pharmacies participated in the vote (with a 64% turnout), and 97.8% expressed their willingness to reduce their operating hours.
Furthermore, over 96% also voted to possibly withdraw from services such as addiction support, smoking cessation programs, and emergency contraception.
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NPA chairman Nick Kaye remarked: “Pharmacy proprietors are not a radical group; we have never suggested actions like this previously, but after ten years of insufficient funding and unprecedented closures, something has to change.”
He stated that frustrations had “intensified significantly due to the budget,” with the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions and a rise in the national living wage pushing “even more pharmacies to the edge.”
Head of the Independent Pharmacies Association, Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, indicated that the national insurance hike would cost pharmacies an additional £12,000 annually.
“The government must urgently enhance pharmacy funding to avert further closures of community pharmacies,” stated Dr. Hannbeck.
“We are awaiting a resolution, and the outcome of that resolution will dictate the subsequent actions.”
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General practitioners in England also voted for collective action this year amid disputes over new contracts.
The British Medical Association (BMA) provided a list of ten courses of action for surgeries to contemplate, including limiting the number of patients to 25 a day and declining to perform certain tasks.
Funding for GPs for the fiscal year 2024/25 witnessed a mere 1.9% increase—with 99% rejecting it in the BMA vote.
