Liberal Democrat health and care spokesperson Helen Morgan has urged the government to provide clarity on the future of Pharmacy First and confirm continued funding beyond April.
In a letter to health secretary Wes Streeting, the North Shropshire MP expressed deep concern over the uncertainty surrounding the initiative, which plays a crucial role in shifting healthcare services into communities.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has confirmed that funding for Pharmacy First, launched last year, is set to expire at the beginning of April, with no commitment yet for future funding.
“This is deeply worrying, given the important role that Pharmacy First plays in supporting local healthcare delivery and alleviating pressure on our overburdened NHS,” Morgan said.
Her letter, signed by over 50 MPs, also raised alarm over the financial struggles threatening Britain’s pharmacies.
She warned that many face imminent closure due to “a deadly combination of a litany of financial pressures and an ongoing lack of support and clarity from the government.”
"Pharmacies play an essential role in the community. This cornerstone of primary care, however, is increasingly under threat,” Morgan said.
Citing recent NPA analysis, Morgan highlighted that up to 1,000 pharmacies could close within the next few years, with 900 closures expected by 2027 if current trends persist.
The association warned that some areas could lose 30% of their pharmacies, leading to an explosion of “pharmacy deserts.”
The NPA pointed to a 40% real-terms funding cut since 2015 as a key factor in the sector’s struggles.
Morgan stressed that the situation is set to worsen in the coming months, with pharmacies facing further financial strain due to the planned rise in National Insurance contributions and the increase in business rates, which affect high street retailers including pharmacies.
"Moreover, many pharmacies are already operating at a loss on many prescription drugs, essentially subsidising the NHS at a time when their own financial sustainability is in jeopardy,” she added.
The MP further criticised the government for failing to confirm funding rates for the current financial year, which ends in just a few weeks.
“This severity of a delay in contracting is unacceptable and adds further strain to an already struggling sector,” she stated.
Morgan urged the government to urgently confirm funding and establish a long-term contract that puts community pharmacies “back on a path to survival and, ultimately, success.”
She noted that supporting the sector is vital to achieving the government’s aim of shifting more care into the community.
“We cannot afford to lose more pharmacies from our high streets, particularly at a time when access to healthcare is becoming increasingly difficult for many people across the country,” she added.
Helen Morgan's letter to Health Secretary, Wes Streeting.
