Skip to content

This Site is Intended for Healthcare Professionals Only

Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

CCA's analysis shows net loss of 670 community pharmacies in England

The Company Chemists’ Association (CCA)’s analysis on permanent closures of community pharmacies in England showed that there has been a net loss of 670 pharmacies between 2015 and 2022.

The analysis highlighted that 37 per cent of permanent closures of pharmacies and GP practices have occurred in the 20 per cent most deprived parts of England.


Current trends indicate that primary care ‘cold spots’ could soon emerge – areas where there is significantly reduced or inadequate access to a pharmacy or a GP.

The CCA’s analysis shows that some of the most deprived neighborhoods concentrated in the North West, the West Midlands and Yorkshire have faced the highest losses of local pharmacies and GP practices since 2015.

It demonstrates that the trend of permanent closures amongst pharmacies and GP practices is worsening. Moreover, this burden is likely to be felt unevenly with permanent closures occurring disproportionately in areas of high deprivation. Without action, deprived communities, where need is typically greater, may no longer be able to access the GP and pharmacy services they require.

Malcolm Harrison, Chief Executive of the CCA said: “The Government is sleepwalking into a disaster within primary care, and we could soon see primary care cold spots emerge in different parts of England. Unfortunately, the communities with the greatest need could see access to primary care services diminish the most which will only worsen health inequalities.

"The CCA has been warning about permanent closures of pharmacies for some time. The sector is underfunded by more than £67,000 per pharmacy annually, money which could be invested in frontline staff to provide patient care. This is a wake-up call to the Government – primary care desperately needs investment.

We’re calling for a fully-funded Pharmacy First scheme to bring investment into the sector and to ensure patients with minor ailments can be seen by their pharmacist first – freeing up GP time to see those patients who absolutely need to see their GP”.

Taiwo Owatemi MP, the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Pharmacy said: “The community pharmacy sector is critically underfunded and only by long term investment over an extended period of time will we begin to see an end to the mass departure of pharmacy staff to other sectors across the primary care network. The CCA’s research makes clear that the situation is dire with nearly 700 pharmacies closing their doors for good between 2015 and 2022. There simply can be no more delays. People across the country are already missing out on crucial healthcare support – this underutilized sector must be given the support it needs.

Too frequently we view our pharmacies as just being the shop where we pick up our medicines. Pharmacies can and must be commissioned to do so much more. In Wales and Scotland, Pharmacy First schemes are already in place so that urgent care can be provided inside pharmacies, within communities where people live. England must follow.

Pharmacies should be the first port of call for any minor illnesses. Pharmacists have the skills already; they just want the opportunity to put them into practice. Yet, this can only happen if the Government is prepared to step up to the plate and make those long-term commitments to the sector that will keep it alive for future generations.”

More For You

NHS to invest millions to boost enhanced treatment for sickle cell patients

Approximately 17,000 people live in England with sickle cell disease

Pic credit: istock

NHS to invest millions to boost enhanced treatment for sickle cell patients

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that it will invest £9 million towards the treatment of sickle cell patients.

Approximately 17,000 people live in England with sickle cell disease. Nearly 250 new cases of this inherited blood disorder is reported annually.

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS leads the world with new ‘trojan horse’ therapy for blood cancer patients

An estimated 6,000 cases of multiple myeloma is diagnosed in the UK each year.

Pic credit: istock

NHS leads the world with new ‘trojan horse’ therapy for blood cancer patients


NHS England has become the first in the world to introduce a ‘trojan horse’ therapy for the victims of blood cancer with the ground-breaking treatment slowing down the illness three-times more than existing treatments.

Keep ReadingShow less
Call to improve inclusivity in clinical research

Ethnic minority adults continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials.

iStock

Call to improve inclusivity in clinical research

A NEW report has called for the participation of a wide range of diverse communities in clinical research to make sure that the medicines meet the needs of the UK's increasingly diverse population.

The report ‘Achieving inclusivity in clinical research’, prepared by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), highlights the long-standing challenges in ensuring diversity in clinical trials.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pharmacy students Learning Support Fund

Pharmacy students will be included in the Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses section of the NHS Learning Support Fund.

iStock

Pharmacy students to have access to Learning Support Fund

FOR the first time in England, pharmacy students will be eligible to reimburse travel and accommodation costs while attending placements.

The Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that pharmacy students would finally be included in the Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) section of the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF).

Keep ReadingShow less
NHS for robotic surgery

Patients undergoing robotic surgery are able to recover quicker and be discharged sooner.

Pic credit: iStock

NHS pushes for robotic surgery to reduce waiting time, improve outcomes

The NHS is planning to step up robotic surgery over the next decade to reduce waiting time, help in the speed of recovery of patients, and shorter hospital stay.

As per the NHS projections, the number is expected to zoom from 70,000 in 2023/24 to half a million by 2035.

Keep ReadingShow less