UK pharmacies could cut hours unless NHS provides ‘new and sufficient’ funding

Independent pharmacies in England have been advised to slash their opening hours in a row over funding.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said it had “been left with little choice” but to recommend its 6,000 members take collective action for the first time in its history, unless the government provides “new and sufficient” funding to cover significant new costs.

About 90% of an average pharmacy’s work is funded via the NHS, including dispensing medication and vaccinations. But the NPA, which represents community pharmacies, says members have yet to receive any confirmation of funding for the 2024-25 or the 2025-26 financial years. Increases in employers’ national insurance rates, the national living wage and business rates from April, on top of these unresolved funding issues could “jeopardise patient safety”, it says.

Significant numbers of pharmacies have already ceased trading, with 1,300 pharmacies shutting since 2017.

Nick Kaye, chair of the NPA, said the move was necessary “to safeguard patient services for the long term”, adding: “It is better that we temporarily reduce access in the short term than let pharmacies collapse."

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Source: The Guardian, 18 March 2025