Pharmacists in England considering strike action over Covid debts

Industry association says chancellor must intervene to waive repayment of 370m of government loans

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Pharmacists in England are considering strike action unless the Treasury writes off a 370m debt from a support package awarded during the pandemic, which saw many chemists help deliver vaccines.

The chair of the National Pharmacy Association urged the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, to intervene in the budget on 3 March, saying the industry did not want to stage walkouts but many members were facing closure due to unsustainable debts.