Pharmacies vote to cut services unless UK government acts over ‘crisis’

Pharmacy owners to reduce hours and make fewer home deliveries of medicines unless there is better funding

Pharmacies have said they will halt a number of services within weeks, including the end of free medicine deliveries and extended opening hours, unless the government drastically boosts funding for the sector to stem an escalating crisis".

In a high-turnout ballot run by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents independent community pharmacies, 99% of pharmacy owners said they were willing to limit their services in the interests of patient safety if improved funding was not forthcoming.

Serve notice on opening hours above the minimum required by their contract - meaning fewer pharmacies will be open in the evenings and at weekends.

Stop making free home deliveries of medicines that are not funded.

Withdraw from locally commissioned services, including some local addiction support services, emergency contraception and smoking cessation support.

Refuse to cooperate with certain data requests above those required for patient safety and contractual minimums.

Withdraw from supplying free monitored dose systems (medicine packs) that the NHS does not pay them to provide, other than those covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.