The NPA has called on the Government and NHS England to resolve the funding crisis in community pharmacy. Here is a statement from NPA chair, Andrew Lane:
“This week’s public sector pay awards, which include a large number of our health service colleagues, highlight that there’s an unresolved funding crisis in community pharmacy which needs urgent attention.
“Our sector can’t help but feel utterly neglected after years of crushing real terms cuts to pharmacy funding, amounting to half a billion pounds a year, and no hint of any relief to come.
“Four months into this financial year, there is as yet no clarity even on current arrangements.
“After stepping up to tackle covid and keep the wheels on the NHS, the sector deserves better than to be neglected in this way.
“We suspect that PSNC must be close to concluding negotiations with Government. Our members have every right to expect some good news soon that community pharmacy will be treated as an essential part of the NHS.
“We know from credible independent analysis (Ernst & Young) that more pharmacy closures will inevitably result from a continuation of underfunding. It’s high time the Government and NHS England acted to reverse the cuts and save the pharmacy network from irreversible decline.”