Labour wins 2024 general election, Pharmacy bodies urge focus on funding problems

Pharmacy associations express optimism and call for urgent action as Labour secures a decisive victory in the 2024 general elections, promising healthcare reforms amidst pressing challenges

In a landmark electoral outcome, the Labour Party under the leadership of Sir Keir Starmer has clinched a resounding victory in the 2024 General Election.

With over 400 seats won, well above the 326 needed for a majority in Parliament, Sir Keir Starmer is set to become the next Prime Minister, with Wes Streeting anticipated to take on the role of Health Secretary.

Handing a brutal defeat to the Conservatives, the new Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, "We did it! You campaigned for it. You fought for it. You voted for it. And now it has arrived. Change begins now."

Labour's vision for Pharmacy

Central to the Labour Party’s manifesto for transforming healthcare delivery is bolstering access to primary care and community health care.

This includes introduction of  'community pharmacist prescribing service' to empower pharmacists with independent prescribing rights where clinically suitable.

This initiative aims to relieve pressure on GP surgeries and improve access to services.

The manifesto also advocates for 'neighbourhood health centres' to integrate various community services under one roof, fostering a shift towards a localised 'neighbourhood health service'.

Although no spending commitments to pharmacy have yet been confirmed, with the Labour party committing to uphold previous fiscal rules, according to CPE challenges in public finances are expected.

Meanwhile, Taiwo Owatemi, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Pharmacy, retained her Coventry North West seat, while Sadik Al-Hassan, a community pharmacist, secured the MP position for North Somerset.

With many calling it a 'landslide victory', this significant shift in the political landscape has elicited responses from various leading pharmacy organisations, reflecting their hopes and expectations for the future of healthcare and pharmacy services in the UK.

Pharmacy bodies welcome the next government 

Following Labour's triumph, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has welcomed the election results, highlighting their readiness to collaborate with the new administration

Paul Rees, Chief Executive of the NPA, underscored the critical need for adequate funding for pharmacies, stressing the impact of past budget cuts on community health services.

"We are eager to collaborate with the new government to demonstrate how a well-funded pharmacy network can alleviate GP and hospital waiting times, significantly enhancing public health," Rees said.

Rees highlighted longstanding issues within the pharmacy sector, stating, "We have left the Labour team in no doubt that pharmacies are suffering from a decade of cuts.

"Every time we have met Wes Streeting – in all likelihood the next Health Secretary – he has spoken warmly about community pharmacies and last week he backed the NPA’s national day of action against pharmacy underfunding."

Paul Rees stated that they had met Labour’s health team multiple times to ensure their understanding of the significant value of community pharmacies " that cuts GP waiting times and revolutionises primary care" and their shared vision for expanding their clinical role.

He added that ongoing discussions on medicine shortages were critical due to their impact on patients and pharmacy teams across the UK.

Similarly, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) articulated cautious optimism, noting their ongoing efforts to engage with political parties ahead of the election.

"We welcomed Labour MP Wes Streeting's acknowledgment of the severe funding pressures facing community pharmacies and the resulting closures during the election period," the CPE stated.

Congratulating all new and returning MPs, and to the new Labour Government, Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of CPE, said:

"One of the first tasks for the new Government health team will be to conclude negotiations on the 2024/25 Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF).

"This is critical to assure the future for community pharmacies and the safe supply of medicines to patients, but it will be one item of many on their list of NHS crises to solve.

"We look forward to early discussions with the new Ministers on the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework and other critical issues affecting our sector," Morrison stated.

Zoe Long, Director of Communications, Corporate and Public Affairs said:

"It was great to see a good number of pharmacy supporters winning seats overnight and this is positive for community pharmacy."

"But alongside our work to influence the new Government directly, today marks the beginning of the next phase of public affairs work – to build and strengthen that network of allies and advocates for community pharmacy across the new Parliament, pressing for investment and support for community pharmacy.

"We are looking forward to working with LPCs and pharmacy on this, and to meeting and briefing more MPs across all political parties over the coming weeks.”

The Company Chemists Association (CCA) echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for sustained investment in community pharmacies to mitigate closures and ensure continued patient access to essential medicines.

Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of CCA, expressed optimism about Labour's proposals for primary care reform, which include greater integration of community pharmacies in healthcare delivery and "return of the 'family doctor'".

Calling it a "compelling vision for primary care reform", Harrison said:

"We look forward to working with the new Secretary of State and Health Ministers to secure the best outcomes for patients and best value for taxpayers.

"We’ve made no secret of the pressures community pharmacies face and how these are impacting patients.

"The sector needs additional funding to halt the worrying trend of closures and to ensure patient access to medicines is maintained.

"Furthermore, greater investment is needed if community pharmacies are to play an even bigger role in helping the NHS to overcome the backlog in primary care”.

Commenting on the results of the general elections, Professor Claire Anderson, President of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), celebrated the election of two pharmacists to Parliament.

"It’s fantastic we now have two pharmacists elected to Parliament. I would like to warmly congratulate Taiwo Owatemi, who has retained her seat... and welcome community pharmacist Sadik Al-Hassan, who is now MP for North Somerset."

Anderson underscored the need for sustainable funding and support for pharmacists’ roles and said that " the new Government must turn its attention to enhancing patient care in a health service under continued pressure."

"Pharmacists will be central to reducing health inequalities, managing the growing cost of long-term conditions, and delivering best value from medicines for patients and the NHS.

“As pharmacists are asked to do more, this must be backed by sustainable funding, and I look forward to working with the Government on how to make the best use of pharmacists’ skills to benefit patients, including through the growing number of pharmacist prescribers.

“The Health Select Committee set out clear priorities for pharmacy in its latest report and I would urge the new Government to act on its recommendations."