The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) is distributing new campaign materials to pharmacies across England this week to empower them to advocate for fair funding in the forthcoming general election.
These include campaign posters, stickers, postcards for patients to send to MPs and petition materials.
By supplying these resources, the NPA aims to boost its cross-sector #SaveOurPharmacies campaign and help pharmacies raise local and national awareness of the funding crisis that is forcing pharmacies to close at the rate of 10 a week.
NPA chief executive Paul Rees said: “Pharmacies are under crushing financial pressure. We want to help them join our efforts to raise the profile of the funding crisis and make the public and politicians fully aware of the threat to our much-loved pharmacy network.
“By supplying these new campaign materials we are making it easier for pharmacies to raise their voices and be heard. We feel certain that their patients and communities will take this opportunity to show their support for vital local services.
“We want to make policy makers and NHS managers sit up, take notice, and take action to save our pharmacies. We’ll do that by relentlessly focussing attention on the amazing work of pharmacies and the real threat to this vital national network from continued underfunding.”
The association revealed that it is working with other pharmacy leaders to mobilise public support ahead of the general election.
“The intention is to influence public and political opinion to give the best possible conditions for successful contractual negotiations in England,” it added.
According to a recent analysis by the NPA, 177 pharmacies closed their doors between January and April 2024, a nearly 50 per cent increase compared to the same period last year (116).
Stating that many pharmacies are “running out of options to stay afloat”, the NPA warned that permanent closures may be inevitable without an increase in funding in real terms.
