Cuts expected to ‘profoundly damage’ pharmacies

The national NHS budget for community pharmacy is to shrink six per cent by £170m next year – with further cuts predicted.

The Department of Health has indicated that many community pharmacies are too close together and it expects some to shut as a result of the funding reductions. It’s feared the impact on Derbyshire’s 217 community pharmacies will be significant, as many serve isolated rural communities.

John Sargeant, Chair of Community Pharmacy Derbyshire, said: “This is a profoundly damaging move, at a time when the Government itself recognises the important role of pharmacy as the NHS struggles to cope.”