Key Summary
- People in Devon are facing difficulties due to pharmacy closures.
- About 35 per cent are unable to buy basic over-the-counter medicine locally.
- The next full council meeting of Devon council in May will discuss the issue further.
Devon residents are struggling to get essential medicines as the pharmacies in their locality are getting closed temporarily due to staff shortage.
The issue was raised at Devon County Council, where councillor Steve Lodge (Liberal Democrat, Tiverton) said the problem was acute and called for a motion to discuss the issue at the next full council meeting.
He said a survey of 3,000 people in Tiverton conducted by a local GP surgery showed that more than a third - 35 per cent - had been unable to buy basic over-the-counter medicine locally, and that 30 per cent were unable to access a pharmacy at all.
The survey found that about 300 responses or 10 percent indicated potential harm due to missed medication and worsening symptoms.
He also pointed out that there had been a 10 percent increase in GP appointments and observed that it was not sustainable.
Lodge claimed that the most common reason for closures is lack of staff, and deprived communities are the worst hit.
He, however lauded the pharmacists for working under “impossible pressure”.
“There is relentless demand, a lack of support, impossible choices, and systemic failure in terms of funding, the workforce, the supply chain and commissioning.
“It requires a systemic response and that’s why I’m asking this council to act,” he said.
Councillor Andrew Leadbetter (Conservative) asked whether securing prescriptions via delivery services could help.
Lodge noted that this was an effective method of securing medication, but stressed that such services took business away from local pharmacies, which provided other vital services to their communities, such as advice and vaccinations.
A motion on the issue of pharmacies could be discussed at the next full council meeting of Devon County Council in May.
